US military satellite explodes above Earth

The Telegraph ^ | 02 Mar 2015 | Matthew Sparkes

[muffaletaman]

A US military satellite exploded after detecting an unexplained “sudden spike in temperature”, sending dozens of chunks of debris tumbling into different orbits around Earth. ===== Air Force Space Command confirmed to SpaceNews.com that the “catastrophic event” came after “a sudden spike in temperature” was detected, followed by “an unrecoverable loss of attitude control”.

While operators were deciding how to “render the vehicle safe” they detected a debris cloud which indicated that the satellite had been destroyed.

[GingisK]

Do satellites have a self-destruct?

Typically not. Sometimes they can deorbit themselves. Weight reduction is always a driving issue when building those things.

[muffaletaman]

Indeed.

Someone is sending a signal, but who and to whom?

It would be VERY bold for another country to shoot one of ours down.

But OTOH it would be one heckuva signal.

OR WE SHOT IT DOWN?

Hmm, likewise a strong signal.

[SparkyBass]

That was me, sorry. Just got my new bore-sighter and... well, y’know.

[SunkenCiv]

Putin.

[jsanders2001]

ACTIVATED

[Mastador1]

Somebody blowed it up real good.

Requires a picture of the Farm Report boys from SCTV!

[henkster]

Well now I’m aware of that...

[SampleMan]

Information is scant, but I’m betting number 2, even though it violates Occam’s razor.

Actually, I don't think it does. When something explodes for no discernable reason, the most likely reason is that someone destroyed it on purpose, especially when there is motive.

[al baby]

Yup first thought too

[RinaseaofDs]

1. Lasers
2. Meteorite
3. Something classified

[Resolute Conservative]

Bill Clinton’s chickens coming home to roost...

[al baby]

Good Lord like the second tower prayers up that it aint

[cuban leaf]

When something explodes for no discernable reason, the most likely reason is that someone destroyed it on purpose, especially when there is motive.

---

I would normally agree, but I don’t think it’s that easy to do regarding a satellite. I could be wrong, though.

[Night Hides Not]

Thousands of Army 2nd Lieutenants, and their platoons, are in deep $hit if this is a GPS satellite. lol

The most dangerous weapon in the Army inventory is a 2nd Lieutenant and a map.

[M Kehoe]

Given the state of relations with our allies, and hence emboldening our enemies, either the satellite had a catastrophic malfunction, or "somebody" took it out.

Methinks door number two.

5.56mm

[CyberAnt]

Didn’t China already do that to one of our other satellites ..?? Or .. at least it was thought China did it, but I don’t think we ever proved it .. or if we did, it was never made public.

[al baby]

Maybe OBAMA fired on it

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

China probably parked a ‘satellite killer’ near ours, and BLAM!!! Barry does not care. In fact, he’s rooting for them.

[circlecity]

I’m not saying it was aliens, but.......

[capydick]

...followed by “an unrecoverable loss of attitude control”

Heckuva attitude - it can blow itself up apparently.......