http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_go_ot/dead_satellite A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday and the satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret and Such an uncontrolled re-entry could risk exposure of U.S. secrets, said John Pike, a defense and intelligence expert. Spy satellites typically are disposed of through a controlled re-entry into the ocean so that no one else can access the spacecraft. As for possible hazardous material in the spacecraft, Pike said it might contain beryllium, a light metal with a high melting point that is used in the defense and aerospace industries. Breathing beryllium can lead to chronic, incurable respiratory problems.
Last I checked most things get incinerated in the atmosphere unless they're really big or resistant to heat. A satallite has neither of those properties. And considering that 75% of this planet is covered by water the chance that it'll hit land, much less anywhere that's inhabited, is unlikely. So I'm not worried.
And for the record, while I was reading the article I kept wondering if it was an urband legend. Just seems too unbelievable and has a lot of the hallmarks of an urban legend (something very dangerous is about to occur and according to all the experts there's nothing that can be done about it).
Last I checked most things get incinerated in the atmosphere unless they're really big or resistant to heat. A satallite has neither of those properties. And considering that 75% of this planet is covered by water the chance that it'll hit land, much less anywhere that's inhabited, is unlikely. So I'm not worried.
And for the record, while I was reading the article I kept wondering if it was an urband legend. Just seems too unbelievable and has a lot of the hallmarks of an urban legend (something very dangerous is about to occur and according to all the experts there's nothing that can be done about it).
gameguy6700
Good points. Besides, if I'm right(which I'm not most of the time) Mir was bigger than this thing was, and it practically dissolved.
"estimated that the spacecraft weighs about 20,000 pounds and is the size of a small bus."
HOLY **** !!! if i get killed by this thing im gonna be so pissed....
outbreak201
Chillax. The MIR space station was 274,123 lbs and was larger than a space shuttle and that thing disintegrated in the atmosphere before it hit the ground. Granted there was a ton of debris, but my point is that something that weighs 10x less is going to pose a hell of a lot less danger.
Well considering the Earth is 73% water, there's only a 27% chance it will hit land. That is of course not taking into account many factors. I'm not worried.
Well considering the Earth is 73% water, there's only a 27% chance it will hit land. That is of course not taking into account many factors. I'm not worried.Cube_of_MooN
If beryllium has a low melting point, wouldn't it be the first thing to disintegrate/burn up??? I agree with previous poster, sounds like hoax/urban legend. Also as some else pointed out - all satellites aren't powered and are expected to eventually fall back to earth.
big deal, hopefully taco bell will put another target in the ocean like last time one of these came back to earth and it will actually hit it this time so i can get a free taco
big deal, hopefully taco bell will put another target in the ocean like last time one of these came back to earth and it will actually hit it this time so i can get a free tacog-unit248
That changes everything! Now, this is a good thing! FREE TACO!
Impossible. Every other satellite has burned up on re-entry and caused no damage at all. They are designed to do so. They don't have very good landing gears.
Why is anybody here worried? What are the chances of this thing landing on your house? Its the size of a bus, so if you see it falling from the sky simply sidestep away. You have a better chance of getting struck by lighting twice and then getting hit by a train in the same day then getting hit by this.
Why is anybody here worried? What are the chances of this thing landing on your house? Its the size of a bus, so if you see it falling from the sky simply sidestep away. You have a better chance of getting struck by lighting twice and then getting hit by a train in the same day then getting hit by this. omfg_its_dally
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