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USA 193 Shootdown Set For Feb 21, 03:30 UTC
An anonymous reader writes "Amateur satellite watcher Ted Molczan notes that a "Notice to Airmen" (NOTAM) has been issued announcing restricted airspace for February 21, between 02:30 and 05:00 UTC, in a region near Hawaii. Stricken satellite USA 193, which the US has announced plans to shoot down, will pass over this area at about 03:30. Interestingly, this is during the totality of Wednesday's lunar eclipse, which may or may not make debris easier to observe."
Am I the only one who thinks this is TOTALLY COOL???
Sure it might be dangerous and stupid, too, but hey.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is kinky.
First, we must destroy it lest someone else (like the Chinese, because that's where it looks like it's headed if they're launching in Hawaii) get the item, from a US- controlled range. But they'll get it on a pass where the visibility is especially good (think signal to noise ratio on a moon-lit night) and kablooey.
And for decades, maybe centuries, we'll be picking the shards out of the sky, let they be run into by some of our more expensive remaining (and possibly working stuff). Egads. Another one in the drink. I wonder how many things might have been substituted that really matter.
Oh, wait.
---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.