Satellite to be shot down

[Bob The Mercenary]

You've probably already heard the news. The U.S. is planning to shoot down a disabled spy satellite either this week or the next. The reason being that a toxic frozen fuel on board called hydrazine has the same effects on humans as chlorine and would likely survive re-entry. Pieces of the craft would also pose a threat, considering the thing weighs a couple thousand pounds.

The problem is that China and Russia are both calling this a missile defense test in disguise. The classified info on board wouldn't be an issue as it would all be destroyed on re-entry anyway.

Considering that the satellite really only has a small chance of hitting land, much less a populated area, and all the flak the government is recieving for this, should they go ahead and blow it out of the sky?

I'm hoping they go through with it, explosions excite me.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

[Eltargrim]

I'm against this.

#1, the less shrapnel we have in LEO, the better.
#2, The explosion will send pieces in all directions; the higher they go, the longer they take to deorbit, and the more likely they land in an unexpected region.
#3, China and Russia are right. This is entirely a missile test; they're just trying to be less blatant than China about it.

[42PETUNIAS]

I'm all for this.

When the aliens attack, we must be prepared!

[Meister]

Originally Posted by 42PETUNIAS

I'm all for this.

When the aliens attack, we must be prepared!

Discussion-warned for spam I mean seriously what?

[Demetrius]

#1 By exploderizing the satellite the debris would not survive reentry.
#2 See #1
#3 The US is modifying a missile to make the shot, they are not manufacturing a missile designed for it.

[greed]

Also just because classified data on the satellite won't survive the crash doesn't mean parts of the satellite the Chinese/Russians/whoever shouldn't have, won't. Blowing it up pretty much ensures that nothing of use to enemy parties will survive.

[Eltargrim]

Originally Posted by Demetrius

#1 By exploderizing the satellite the debris would not survive reentry.

That's missing the point. The debris I'm most worried about isn't re-entering at all, it's remaining in LEO. Which means it's more space junk to be worried about when launching craft.

#2 See #1

In the event that debris survives, it will be harder to track. That is a fact. However, debris surviving isn't actually the most worrying thing; it's the political ramifications that result.

#3 The US is modifying a missile to make the shot, they are not manufacturing a missile designed for it.

I find the former more worrying than the latter. If this missile demonstrates the capacity to destroy an object in LEO, then they already have a relatively ready stockpile of missiles capable of destroying satellites, and will have demonstrated willingness to use them.

There is no logical/rational excuse for blowing this up save a weapons test. The fuel is no real concern; at least 3 satellites containing the same fuel de-orbited in 2007, as well as at least 8 upper stages.

In short, objects such as satellites routinely de-orbit without cause for concern. These are truly the first steps of the weaponization of space, which is a series of events that I am strongly against.

[BitVyper]

I'm for it. Bits of debris are a lot easier to deal with than dangerous chemicals. All things being a matter of chance, I'd prefer to take my chances there. I don't even particularly care if the US wants to test its missiles anyway. They aren't all that likely to send any my way, or use them irresponsibly, so go ahead. See if you can knock some pop cans off my fence.

[shiney]

I don't imagine the debris would be able to maintain orbit without propulsion, as the Earth's gravity well would be likely to recapture it and bring it into the atmosphere.

[Demetrius]

As far as political statements go, letting the world know, especially after China already did, that we can knock crap out of the sky is a good thing, be that the intention or not.