I suspect most of us have heard about the US spy satellite that is going to "de-orbit" soon. I was watching a bit of CBC newsworld - guess what - they are going to try to shoot it down. The bit that I watched had a US general talking about trying to protect a potential crash site from the hydrazine on board. No mention of the technology that could fall into the wrong hands. hmmmm...
US spy satellite
- Thread starter dcbogey
- Start date
E
enduser1
An Honest Question
Hi,
Is it really possible for the satellite's high tech software and computerchips to survive re entry? Sputnik was the world's first satellite and Uri Ivanovich Gragarin was the first human to orbit the earth, so its not like the USA is going to be losing any secrets on the "Orbiting a satellite issue".
The lens is probably glass and maybe there is a salt mirror. The Hubble Telescope is a civilian version of what they are pointing at earth.
In any event the only reason the satellite might survive is because it is hardened against Anti Satellite Weaponry, in which case yeah they porbably will want to damage it enough to allow for it to totally disintegrate on re-entry.
It is interesting speculation but I have read nothing to suggest that the satellite is hardened.
EU
dcbogey said:
Hi,
Is it really possible for the satellite's high tech software and computerchips to survive re entry? Sputnik was the world's first satellite and Uri Ivanovich Gragarin was the first human to orbit the earth, so its not like the USA is going to be losing any secrets on the "Orbiting a satellite issue".
The lens is probably glass and maybe there is a salt mirror. The Hubble Telescope is a civilian version of what they are pointing at earth.
In any event the only reason the satellite might survive is because it is hardened against Anti Satellite Weaponry, in which case yeah they porbably will want to damage it enough to allow for it to totally disintegrate on re-entry.
It is interesting speculation but I have read nothing to suggest that the satellite is hardened.
EU
The hydrazine is just a cover for the general public.
The Russians, Chinese, Isreali's and Indians know the real truth of coarse. As does anyone else with half a brain.
I believe it's necessary too, but it is funny how they are going to disregard the "outrage" they showed at China for doing something similar not to long ago.
The Russians, Chinese, Isreali's and Indians know the real truth of coarse. As does anyone else with half a brain.
I believe it's necessary too, but it is funny how they are going to disregard the "outrage" they showed at China for doing something similar not to long ago.
However, China gave the U.S. "good cover" by doing so first. Also, unless I'm not grasping a technical detail, that the U.S. has chosen to use a missile rather than an airborne laser I believe probably goes to that the Chinese used a missile.stang said:
hydrazine is a cover story. Hydrazine, an extraordinarily volatile carcinogen, and what the space shuttle engines burn while in orbit, would not survive earth re-entry. Other components could, although unlikely, and could be reverse engineered: anathema to every national agency.
Chinese blew up satellite in low orbit populating an orbiting belt with 1,000's of pieces of shrapnel. US had to move, million$$$, at least one "defense" $atellite to avoid collision with chinese debris.
Chinese blew up satellite in low orbit populating an orbiting belt with 1,000's of pieces of shrapnel. US had to move, million$$$, at least one "defense" $atellite to avoid collision with chinese debris.
According to this article, the satellite will be shot down over Ireland.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3372001.ece
jwm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3372001.ece
jwm
Rockets have self-destruct mechanisms - to over simplify in order that they can be blown up in the air rather than cause a bigger explosion when they hit the ground (for instance in a residential neighborhood). However, satellites do not, (would you want your perfectly good satellite to blow up because some one sent it a radio signal or a passing cosmic ray hit the electrical circuit to the explosive?)red said:
Now if they just knew in advance the ones that were going to be "broken" from the outset. . . . .red said:
Aardvark154 said:Now if they just knew in advance the ones that were going to be "broken" from the outset. . . . .
exactly- thats what those engineers get paid for.
I am just having fun. thats why I am here. don't take anything I say seriously.
Please disregard the above statement. It was typed under duress
It seems to me two reasons to shoot it down. 1) take out any chance of high tech secrets surviving and falling into the wrong hands and 2) test out some anti-satellite - read star wars defence - technology. Can't legally test it, but this is not testing, is it?
E
enduser1
