Pigs In Space

SKYrado03 · February 15, 2008

If I have the #s wrong someone let me know.....

anyone on this fourm interested in astronomy..Should be aware of the Satellite USBc-193 is about to enter the Earth's atmosphere.

At first glance we were going to let it come down in the Americas...Specificaly, North.

arround the first week of march.....

As of mid-afternoon yersterday, 2:38pm,est. 17:38GMT.

I became aware of the gov. plan to neutralize the Satellite right before it starts to enter the atmosphere ....with a modifide SC-3? missle.

Their window of opportunity is in the next three to five days, with aquirment eight days later...puts us darn close to 02-28-08...don't forget its a leap year

Just imagine 1000 Pounds of Hydrazine getting hit by a tactical missle fired from a Navy Warship!

My God Bones, What Have I done?

overkill · February 15, 2008

I think I had heard about this...... deja vu you know. Other than that I dont know anything about it. If they do decide to blow it up, I hope they tell us so I can be outside with my camera just incase I can see anything.....

edit... did you know that every section of the poll needs a check mark in it, even the last one that only has one choice to choose? Took me about 5 times trying to vote before finally just checking everything. Just FYI.

slugbelch · February 15, 2008

I think this shooting down thing is all about China more than anything else:

U.S. will down failed satellite

By Bill Gertz

February 15, 2008

The Pentagon's plan to shoot down a failed satellite with a missile defense interceptor in the coming days is aimed at preventing toxic fuel from reaching earth. But U.S. officials and experts said yesterday it would also signal that U.S. missile defenses can be used to counter China's strategic anti-satellite weapons.

China conducted its first successful test of an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon on Jan. 11, 2007, in what defense and military officials called a new strategic threat to the United States.

Bush administration defense and national security officials involved in interagency discussions on the satellite destruction plan said one reason for using the missile defense system against a space target would be to highlight its potential as an ASAT weapon. The Pentagon has been discussing ways to deter and counter China's ASAT weapon, which can threaten U.S. military and civilian communications, especially command and control systems involving satellites.

Publicly, however, officials who announced the plan yesterday sought to play down the ASAT capability.

The Greyhound bus-sized intelligence satellite failed shortly after launch in 2006. Intended to conduct both electronic eavesdropping and photographic intelligence-gathering, the satellite contains a large tank of unused toxic fuel called hydrazine. The fuel would pose a health risk if the tank survived re-entry and landed in a populated area. The satellite has been gradually moving closer to the atmosphere and could come down some time in the next several weeks.

Since the satellite cannot be maneuvered to fall into the ocean, the plan calls for firing a modified Navy SM-3 anti-missile interceptor from an Aegis battle management system equipped warship in the northern Pacific, as the satellite nears the atmosphere.

It will be the first time a missile defense interceptor will be used against a satellite, something that has not been attempted since the 1980s, when the Pentagon tested an anti-satellite missile from a jet fighter.

SKYrado03 · February 16, 2008

I think I had heard about this...... deja vu you know. Other than that I dont know anything about it. If they do decide to blow it up, I hope they tell us so I can be outside with my camera just incase I can see anything.....

My sentiments exactly

edit... did you know that every section of the poll needs a check mark in it, even the last one that only has one choice to choose? Took me about 5 times trying to vote before finally just checking everything. Just FYI.

I had the same experience. It must of been how I set it up. Not sure if I can clean it up now that it's been created. I'll check into it after I get back from work (9pm-5am)

Chalk it up to being a noob, and learning the forum.

slugbelch · February 19, 2008

Shootdown is Thursday:

CNN.COM

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy will likely attempt to shoot down a faulty spy satellite Thursday, the day after the space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to land, two officials told CNN Monday.

The officials -- who spoke on condition of anonymity because much of the planning remains classified -- said the idea is to leave as much time as possible so a second attempt could be made if necessary.

Because the 5,000-pound satellite malfunctioned immediately after launch in December 2006, it has a full tank of fuel. It would likely survive re-entry and disperse potentially deadly fumes over an area the size of two football fields, officials have said.

The Navy plans to fire at the satellite as it enters Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 150 miles.

Officials want the missile to hit the edge of the atmosphere to ensure debris re-enters and burns up quickly.

The Missile Defense Agency estimated the cost of a sea-based attempted intercept at $40 million to $60 million.

Without any intervention, Pentagon officials have said they believe the satellite would come down on its own in early March.

The option of striking the satellite with a missile launched from an Aegis cruiser was decided upon by President Bush after consultation with several government and military officials and aerospace experts, said Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said there's nothing the military can do to make the outcome worse.

"If we miss, nothing changes. If we shoot and barely touch it, the satellite is just barely in orbit" and would still burn up somewhat in the atmosphere, Griffin said.

"If we shoot and get a direct hit, that's a clean kill and we're in good shape," he added.

SKYrado03 · February 19, 2008

Shootdown is Thursday:

CNN.COM

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said there's nothing the military can do to make the outcome worse.

Thanks for the update.

SKYrado03 · February 19, 2008

Shootdown is Thursday:

CNN.COM

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said there's nothing the military can do to make the outcome worse.

Thanks for the update.

New update from CNN http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/18/satellite.intercept first window is wednesday.

If anyone would like more information on US 193 click http://www.heavens-above.com/ For Heavens-Above Sattellite tracking site.

Enter your town/State or Latitude/Longitude to center maps on your area.

It will pass over Harrisburg Pa. 02/19/08 at 6:15pm est

Steve

SKYrado03 · February 20, 2008

This should be an interesting day in space/time...............

02-20-08:

9:07am est Shuttle landing, 82" from now.
5 hours later 1st window for US193 knockdown
10:12pm est mid-point of total lunar eclipise.......Visibile to all of North America If it isn't snowing/cloudy in your area.

Enjoy!

Skyrado Steve

HawkScot · February 20, 2008

I heard that Dick Cheney will be pulling the trigger to launch the missle.

SKYrado03 · February 20, 2008

I heard that Dick Cheney will be pulling the trigger to launch the missle.

Yes!! he is.....Just don't be in the ship next to his.....USS Erie-Aegis class cruiser

February 21, 2008

Moot point now.

Spoonman · February 21, 2008

Here is the video of the satilite being shot down, not too shabby............

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=71c_1203596547&p=1

SKYrado03 · February 21, 2008

Here is the video of the satilite being shot down, not too shabby............

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=71c_1203596547&p=1

not too shabby............

That same 'explosion' was recreated on STNG back in '95

SKYrado03 · February 21, 2008

Moot point now.

Maybe not so moot...we also need to give honors to the other two Ships that helped in the experiment...

The Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie was chosen for the mission. It's fully equipped with sea-based missile defense systems, has long been the Navy's primary ship for the sea-based missile defense program and has the technology needed for the operation, officials said.

It will be accompanied by two destroyers --- the USS Decatur and the USS Russell -- at an undisclosed location in the Pacific Ocean north of the equator. The Decatur will feed trajectory information to the Erie, and the Russell will back up the Decatur.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/15/spy.sat...html#cnnSTCText

If at all possible, I would like to have this thread open for further scientific discussion and topics.

Moderator s?