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02/20/2008 03:21:26 PM · #1 |
I heard on the radio at lunch today something about the US shooting down a disabled satellite this week. Probably not today because of weather, but when they do it could be visible in parts of the world.
Anyone else know anything about this?
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02/20/2008 03:40:50 PM · #2 |
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02/20/2008 03:44:15 PM · #3 |
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation...
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02/20/2008 03:46:06 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation... |
My wife and I were talking about that last night.... From the outside, we must look like a bunch of buffoons... If I was from a foreign country, I might harbor some hard feelings for us too (sad to say).
That said, I'm still proud to be an American!
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02/20/2008 03:48:03 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by LeeD:
... I'm still proud to be an American! |
Me too :/ very much so :D |
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02/20/2008 03:49:51 PM · #6 |
| Since it's a government operation, a military satellite, and a colossal screw-up, I doubt that they will announce the time and location of the destruction. It'll likely be done over a desolate stretch of the Pacific anyway. |
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02/20/2008 03:52:36 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by strangeghost:
Since it's a government operation, a military satellite, and a colossal screw-up, I doubt that they will announce the time and location of the destruction. It'll likely be done over a desolate stretch of the Pacific anyway. |
You should not have said that out loud... I can see the "whale" people boating that way right now with their signs "Stop the shooting top of whales"
:P |
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02/20/2008 04:18:22 PM · #8 |
Actually, from what I read on Spaceweather.com, the location (Hear HI) that was being considered was/is pretty much public. NBC was even interested in interviewing astronomers/photographers who would be photographing the attempt.
I believe that the attempt may be delayed because of rough water in the area.
FWIW, the failure of a satellite is not that unusual, and the decision to shoot it down rather than accept the risks associated with allowing reentry (toxic fuel) shows that we are willing to put safety above the high cost of destroying it. |
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02/20/2008 04:19:31 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Actually, from what I read on Spaceweather.com, the location (Hear HI) that was being considered was/is pretty much public. NBC was even interested in interviewing astronomers/photographers who would be photographing the attempt.
I believe that the attempt may be delayed because of rough water in the area.
FWIW, the failure of a satellite is not that unusual, and the decision to shoot it down rather than accept the risks associated with allowing reentry (toxic fuel) shows that we are willing to put safety above the high cost of destroying it. |
That was my take on it, as well. But, unlike you, I've been known to be naive about things at time. :) |
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02/20/2008 04:24:18 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation... |
I see where you are coming from, but hypocricy is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
We were not happy with China because they shot it down in orbit which made a mess and puts all the other sats up there at risk of damage for all of eternity, and we're not happy knowing they can shoot down our sats if they want to.
Our shot should not leave a bunch of garbage in orbit. If all goes well it lands in the ocean in an area we told everyone to stay out of tonight.
I agree the risk of letting this sat hit the earth on it's own is very minimal, but there is a chance it could do some major property damage or even kill people (although very slight).
My $.02, this is most likely the US taking advantage of a situation to test/show off some geewiz technology. While maybe slightly hypocritical, I agree 100% with the decision.
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02/20/2008 04:28:30 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation... |
Huh? Taking it out to keep it from randomly falling in large chunks is hypocritical? I must be missing something.
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02/20/2008 04:29:14 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by LoudDog:
My $.02, this is most likely the US taking advantage of a situation to test/show off some geewiz technology. |
Yep. That's what the Russians think, but they're not so happy about it. |
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02/20/2008 04:29:34 PM · #13 |
| just thinkin' out loud -- what if they miss? |
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02/20/2008 04:32:47 PM · #14 |
| And what does this have to do with "Photography Discussion"? Can this be moved to "General Discussion" or "Rant"? |
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02/20/2008 04:33:14 PM · #15 |
Wow! - conspiracy theories begin - "Russia has accused the US of using a plan to shoot down a broken spy satellite as a cover for testing an anti-satellite weapon."
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02/20/2008 04:33:18 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Nullix:
And what does this have to do with "Photography Discussion"? Can this be moved to "General Discussion" or "Rant"? |
hehe. hadn't even noticed that. . . |
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02/20/2008 04:34:12 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Nullix:
And what does this have to do with "Photography Discussion"? Can this be moved to "General Discussion" or "Rant"? |
Actually, I started this as a possible discussion on those who will try and capture the moment.
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02/20/2008 04:37:24 PM · #18 |
I've moved it to general discussion, because you didn't say anything about *that* in the OP.
If it becomes photography oriented, it can be moved back. My suspicions, though, is that photography will just be a tangential topic. |
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02/20/2008 04:40:28 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation... |
Huh? Taking it out to keep it from randomly falling in large chunks is hypocritical? I must be missing something. |
You missed us condemning the Chinese for doing the exact same thing in January of 2007. "The US believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said yesterday. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
The fact that we are doing it under the guise of "safety" is complete bollocks. Really we are doing it to prove to the Chinese that we can do exactly what they can do.
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02/20/2008 04:40:53 PM · #20 |
no problem :) I'm totally cool with that. An interesting discussion either way.
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02/20/2008 04:44:04 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by karmat:
just thinkin' out loud -- what if they miss? |
We all have a good laugh. |
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02/20/2008 04:47:44 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by karmat:
just thinkin' out loud -- what if they miss? |
David Letterman's show showed that scenario the other night, it appears the missle destroys the moon... |
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02/20/2008 04:56:16 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I'm working hard at trying to ignore the hypocricy of our nation... |
Huh? Taking it out to keep it from randomly falling in large chunks is hypocritical? I must be missing something. |
You missed us condemning the Chinese for doing the exact same thing in January of 2007. "The US believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said yesterday. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
The fact that we are doing it under the guise of "safety" is complete bollocks. Really we are doing it to prove to the Chinese that we can do exactly what they can do. |
It borders on hypocritical. If we knew for sure where the sat was going to hit and knew it would not be a problem, then I'd agree that it's hypocritcal.
If the satalite lands on my head, it will kill me. If it lands in the right spot at Palo Verde nuclear power plant it will wipe out Phoenix and much of Arizona. if it hits a oil refinery it could kill hundreds. If it lands in the wrong place in the wrong country it could be a international incident. With no idea where it is going to land, it is a risk and shooting it down is justified (in my opinion). So why not take advantage of the situation and use a tool we have been developing and testing for a very similar use (hitting missles at high altitude)?
Message edited by author 2008-02-20 16:58:14.
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02/20/2008 04:59:21 PM · #24 |
| I think they are afraid someone will find it before they do. And they get to test a new weapon to boot. |
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02/20/2008 05:05:41 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by PapaBob:
Originally posted by karmat:
just thinkin' out loud -- what if they miss? |
David Letterman's show showed that scenario the other night, it appears the missle destroys the moon... |
As long as it's not before tonight's eclipse!
Seriously, Jason, I know nothing about China's doing the same thing, so I can't comment on it. If you're right, and the situations are identical, then yes, we'd be hypocritical. But I'd still rather be hypocritical and do the right thing than intellectually honest and not do it.
Besides, look at it this way: let's say there's a 1/100000 chance it'd do any damage. If it takes out your house, and you find out there was a zero-risk opportunity to avoid it, wouldn't you want your gov't to have taken that opportunity?
I mean, so what if it's also an opportunity to test a new system? And so what if they're also afraid someone might learn something from intact pieces?
Message edited by author 2008-02-20 17:06:08.
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