Kazakhstan's Spaceship Junkyard

Richard W.M. Jones writes "What happens to the booster stages of rockets? They fall back to earth, and in most cases into the oceans. But not in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, where the first stages fall over populated farmland. The locals have become rich dealing in the titanium-rich scrap metal as this article and this remarkable photo essay show. So far the only casualties seem to have been a few dead cows."

Comments

Re:Titanium is a pain to weld or melt in the house

[member57]

No, were're perfectly normal, everyone else is wierd, or just stupid, we haven't decided yet. Bitch some more and we'll stick an Aircraft Carrier, and a Marine division off your coast, then we'll see how your socialist/ communist/ terrorist government capitulates then. Either lead or get the hell outta the way. This America bashing shit was mildly funny at first, kinda like watching your kids. Europeans seem to forget the rouglhly 1 million Americans that died saving you from yourselves. We fought your asses outta a hole for 4 years first, we even did this twice in 20 years, then finished another war in the Pacific. If we had kept our same policy of isolationism most of Europe would be speaking German as their primary language, and saying heil Hitler. How about after WW2? Let's see Berlin Airlift, maybe? How many Americans died so that West Berliners could stay warm and eat? How much did that cost, who did we bill? NOBODY, we footed the bill, along with billions used to rebuild European cities. Have we ever been paid back? Hell no, especailly the French, who kindly asked us to leave during the 50's and defaulted on their payments. Who had the balls and determination to face down Soviet Russia? What if we said FU during the 60's,70's, 80's and 90's, we are tired of paying and left Europe? Would Europe be speaking Rusky? Waht about the numerous technological inovations we have developed and dispensed thoughout the world. We have done all of this through hard work, blood sweat and tears. Who is the first to offer assistance when disasters happen throughout the world? Yeah, we have made mistakes, but name one country that hasn't. I believe that we have done more good than bad, our record stands on it's own. Sorry if we offend you so much, maybe next time we'll let you all handle the next one by yourselves.