NASA satellite to impact earth

[Wassercrats]

NASA is updating its information on when and where a satellite will re-enter the atmosphere on this webpage. It's not expected to hit North America.

NASA's first entry links to a risk assessment, and in some news articles you'll see the odds of casualties that NASA calculated. I used the Freedom of Information Act to request the risk assessment and the odds of casualties for a previous re-entry of a NASA component and I made a big deal about it when NASA started playing games. The case went to the U.S. Court of Appeals. I don't think these details of any uncontrolled re-entry (there have been many) were ever published before my FOIA request and lawsuit, so there's my contribution to open government.

[Jeff]

It's interesting that we don't have a way to terminate it so it lands over a big stretch of open ocean.

[Kevin]

Ow! My head! Who threw that!?
I know how to handle this...

[Wassercrats]

Originally Posted by Jeff

It's interesting that we don't have a way to terminate it so it lands over a big stretch of open ocean.

There are all kinds of ideas on how to do that, but cost is a factor. Even when the risk of casualties exceedes NASA guidelines, NASA often creates a noncompliance report and accepts the risk (on behalf of all of us).

BTW, NASA's falling satellite slows � and now could hit US.

[Kevin]

A laugh from the past for people who are worried about this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAr2HkQr1YM

[skolnick]

Originally Posted by Jeff

It's interesting that we don't have a way to terminate it so it lands over a big stretch of open ocean.

HEY! I might BE in the big stretch of open ocean.

sail fast and eat well, dave
S/V Auspicious

[Wassercrats]

It's the German Aerospace Center's turn. Impact within the U.S. is possible within about 1 1/2 hours. Updates are on their facebook page.