Look up: Satellite on it's way down

Larkspeed · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:37

A six tonne satellite has fallen out of orbit and is expected to crash somewhere on Earth, according to Nasa.

Nasa says the risk to life from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is just 1 in 3,200.

However, most of the satellite will break or burn up before reaching Earth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15019833

GJ02 · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:43

most of the satellite will break or burn up before reaching Earth.

parts will still hit the earth
and they dont know its exact impact location which is a bit worrying

McDaniel · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:43

I dont know why but the "somewhere on Earth" bit made me lol

Cosimo · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:47

GJ02 said:
parts will still hit the earth
and they dont know its exact impact location which is a bit worrying

Don't worry to much:

Update #8
Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:44:51 PM UTC+0100

As of 7 a.m. EDT Sept. 22, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 115 mi by 120 mi (185 km by 195 km). Re-entry is expected sometime during the afternoon of Sept. 23, Eastern Daylight Time. The satellite will not be passing over North America during that time period. It is still too early to predict the time and location of re-entry with any more certainty, but predictions will become more refined in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Get your updates from here:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/uars/index.html

Nemeses · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:48

GJ02 said:
parts will still hit the earth
and they dont know its exact impact location which is a bit worrying

lol

robmol · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:51

How does it 'fall' out of orbit?

Larkspeed · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:52

robmol said:
How does it 'fall' out of orbit?

mavity?

SlyReaper · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:54

robmol said:
How does it 'fall' out of orbit?

atmospheric drag slows it down so that the orbit gets lower and lower.

Efour · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:56

Isaac Newton is spinning in his grave.

Only 1 3000/1 chance of it hitting a person i heard. Not bad odds.

If it lands in my back garden ill be screaming OCUK to any reporters - Might even pretend to be mentally challenged for the extra lols. (more than i am )

robmol · 22 Sep 2011 at 17:58

Obviously, but what caused it to stop orbiting?

Oh, Just seen the video, thought it was an operating satellite. Lol @ "you are not allowed to take it and sell it on ebay"

Grimley · 22 Sep 2011 at 18:59

Sod's law it'll land on my house. :mad:

VaderDSL · 22 Sep 2011 at 19:01

I was thinking it'd be hilariously ironic if it some of it landed on the KSC

or NORAD

Strife212 · 22 Sep 2011 at 19:02

Hopefully it will land on my house, can you imagine the payout you'd get?

Tephnos · 22 Sep 2011 at 19:05

Strife212 said:
Hopefully it will land on my house, can you imagine the payout you'd get?

Or the fact that there'd be a smoking crater where you and your house once was.

LewisStuart · 22 Sep 2011 at 19:07

Can gold suvive re-entry?

'Wes · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:41

Ran out of fuel in 2005.

cainer · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:43

best take an umbrella if your thinking of popping out

cm1179 · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:44

i bet it lands in the pacific!

kaffe · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:45

Actually a little bit excited for it :\

StriderX · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:49

LewisStuart said:
Can gold suvive re-entry?

Its an offence to take anything from the satellite and by that i mean, it doesn't care for what country you are in.