I remember seeing this satellite as it passed overhead. It was one of the brighter birds (it is BIG) and it had a distinctive red color to it. NPR reports that the odds of it hitting someone are in the area of 1 in 3800. Steve "Snort Rosin" Smith tells me he has his catcher's mitt on:http://www.space.com/12859-nasa-satellite-falling-space-debris-uars.html
I've always wanted a piece of space debris ever since SkyLab crashed.
Waiting and watching on the Left Coast......I've got it! I've got it!".......-THUD-.
73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
"Snort Rosin"
Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20
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ReplyDeleteFrom the news: "If you do come across what you suspect is a satellite piece, NASA doesn't want you to pick it up. The space agency says there are no toxic chemicals present, but there could be sharp edges. Also, it's government property. It's against the law to keep it as a souvenir or sell it on eBay."
ReplyDeleteSharp edges, geesh. I've got gloves.
Hey, if that sucker lands on my property then the government abandonned it there; it's mine. :-P
But if our lovely foggy WX doesn't clear up then there's no way I'm going to be able to see that thing coming.
Bummer.
73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
Um, I'm having second thoughts......
ReplyDelete(NASA): "Of the 26 pieces expected to survive reentry and strike the surface, the estimated mass of the largest piece is 158.3 kg (349 lb), possibly reaching the surface at a velocity of 44 metres per second (140 ft/s) (98 miles/hour). Smaller pieces are expected to strike the surface at up to 107 metres per second (350 ft/s)(240 miles/hour)."
For now it's probably best to be satisfied with a replica of space junk; my Sputniker TX.
73, Beep-Beep and ROOSCCh!
Steve