Posted on 05/01/2021 5:51:50 PM PDT by BenLurkin
On April 28th, China successfully put the core module of their Tianhe space station into orbit with the latest version of the Long March 5B heavy-lift booster. This rocket, designed for launching large objects into low Earth orbit, is unique in that the 33.16 m (108.8 ft) first stage carries the payload all the way to orbit rather than separating at a lower altitude. Unfortunately, despite an international effort to limit unnecessary space debris, the first stage of the Long March 5B booster is now tumbling through space and is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry sometime in the next few days.
The massive booster has been given the COSPAR ID 2021-035-B, and ground tracking stations are currently watching it closely to try and determine when and where it will reenter the Earth’s atmosphere. As of this writing it’s in a relatively low orbit of 169 x 363 km, which should decay rapidly given the object’s large surface area. Due to the variables involved it’s impossible to pinpoint where the booster will reenter this far out, but the concern is that should it happen over a populated area, debris from the 21 metric ton (46,000 pound) booster could hit the ground.
(Excerpt) Read more at hackaday.com ...
It would be poetic justice if it landed on Billy Clinton’s house
Murphy says, “A dropped tool will land where it will produce the most damage.”
—
That’s the sad truth
My favorite movie scene.
Maybe it will do us a favor and drop onto Nancy Pelosi’s Stalag DC.
Now there is an image.
Uncontrolled?
We need to start a pool. I’ll take Taiwan.
Actually, NYC is at the exact latitude of its farthest northern orbit excursion. Doesn’t get to me in Washington state.
Dat’s the one.👌
And somebody to put their hand up his backside.🙄
How about some FR donation bingo?
Guess wrong on the city = $10 extra donation.
Guess wrong on the country = $15 extra donation.
Ocean splashdown = $20 extra donation.
My guess is the Indian Ocean for $20.
I’ll take the Gulf of Mexico for $20.
Lots of irony and schadenfreude if it hits Shanghai.
“while the oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface”
Playing the odds.
That’s why I picked a smaller body of water.
It’s $20 if your prediction misses.
Excellent.
On the second post.
Most everyone got their biden bucks, so I am disappointed in the freepathon so far.
Will insurance cover it?
DArn, you beat me.. I was going to ask how many posts until someone mentions D.C..
You win the thread trophy!
;^)
That’s what I have been worried about.. I build my PCs with ASUS motherboards/vid cards.
I will have to give that up if China takes over Taiwan.
:(
I once dropped a ratchet handle that took out the iPad i was using for wrenching instructions. That was expensive.
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