Satellite heading for earth
- Thread starter buster
- Start date
- Status
I'm buying a lotto ticket!
Kestas
Staff member
I know for a fact that some sattelites are powered by nuclear decay, despite treaties barring the introduction of nuclear material into space. They're obviously worried about something. I'll bet the information sidesteps this issue and instead draws our attention away by talking about hydrazine. Shouldn't hydrazine burn up during reentry? After all, it is a rocket fuel that is burned.
There really is little worry. This morning's paper the scare was the satellite may contain beryllium.....talk about scare mongering.
Skylab II
A few days ago, a 27m hunk of rock passed within one lunar distance of us. And on Tuesday a 1/4km wide rock passes within 1.4 LD.
I'm walking and driving in a zig-zag motion until it's safe. Apparently so are a lot of others based on my observances.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I know for a fact that some sattelites are powered by nuclear decay, despite treaties barring the introduction of nuclear material into space.
I don't know the specifics of those treaties, but do they mean fissionable, or merely radioactive materials? A small amount of tritium or strontium-90 doesn't pose the same threat that uranium or plutonium might...
I know for a fact that some sattelites are powered by nuclear decay, despite treaties barring the introduction of nuclear material into space.
I don't know the specifics of those treaties, but do they mean fissionable, or merely radioactive materials? A small amount of tritium or strontium-90 doesn't pose the same threat that uranium or plutonium might...
True, but there's no chance a person would get enough of whatever substance to have an effect. I'm more interested in the treaties. 
no chance ?
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Radioactive stuff is scary, as you don't know whether that funny piece of metal you found in the middle of nowhere is going to kill you and your family.
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Radioactive stuff is scary, as you don't know whether that funny piece of metal you found in the middle of nowhere is going to kill you and your family.
Infinitesimal chance. Better? ;^)
Assuming the chunk of material survived re-entry whole, its chance of hitting land is 18% or so, and the chance of landing in a populated area is even less. To pose a serious threat to its finder (if there is one) who maybe takes it home, it would need to be ingested. Finally, if showcased in a glass jar, that would be enough to block the beta particles. Regular clothing also blocks the radiation.
Assuming the chunk of material survived re-entry whole, its chance of hitting land is 18% or so, and the chance of landing in a populated area is even less. To pose a serious threat to its finder (if there is one) who maybe takes it home, it would need to be ingested. Finally, if showcased in a glass jar, that would be enough to block the beta particles. Regular clothing also blocks the radiation.
They used to use polonium to make power on satellites.
Wear your seat belt in the car, and when outside have camo on. If the satellite thinks you're just some more terra firma it will pass harmlessly by.
Originally Posted By: Shannow
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Same thing was told to the folks who lived in the path of the Space shuttle that exploded during re-entry in the southern coastal areas.
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Same thing was told to the folks who lived in the path of the Space shuttle that exploded during re-entry in the southern coastal areas.
Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Originally Posted By: Shannow
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Same thing was told to the folks who lived in the path of the Space shuttle that exploded during re-entry in the southern coastal areas.
The main reason for that is to prevent people from taking pieces home as souvenirs. The gumnt wants their crashed bits back for various reasons.
Originally Posted By: Shannow
When skylab came down, we were warned not to go within a hundred yards of anything because of "whatever".
Same thing was told to the folks who lived in the path of the Space shuttle that exploded during re-entry in the southern coastal areas.
The main reason for that is to prevent people from taking pieces home as souvenirs. The gumnt wants their crashed bits back for various reasons.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
My guess would be that this is a late KH-12 or early KH-13 with a small nuclear-thermal power plant (runs on Plutonium 238).
That makes me feel warm and fuzzy....
Mori, I'll email our friend at SSL and see what's up....
- Status
