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Old January 27th 08, 09:08 PM posted to aus.aviation, sci.space.policy
BradGuth
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Default US spy satellite falling to earth

On Jan 26, 4:53 pm, Sylvia Else wrote:
BradGuth wrote:
On Jan 26, 4:24 pm, Sylvia Else wrote:
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...116226-5001028,...


""We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage
this satellite may cause," he said."


I wonder what options they might be.


Sylvia.


I think China could help, or possibly our ABLs.
- Brad Guth


It's not clear to me that blowing it to pieces is a good idea. I think
all the debris would soon re-enter, but I'm not sure.

Of course, there's a clear risk that you'll end up with a large piece
intact which then lands where it can do a lot of damage, and people will
say it should have been left alone.

On balance, I suspect attempting to shoot it down is a bad idea.

What's clearly required is something that can snare it and apply a
controlled de-orbit burn to bring it down somewhere safe, but developing
such technology is not going to be on anyone's priority list until after
the first city takes a hit.

Anyone know what kind of orbit a spy satellite would be in? Would they
always be polar, or might Sydney be safe?

Sylvia.


A pair of our best ABLs taking aim should make its reentry so extra
hot, in that much less of its mass would remain prior to whatever
ocean/surface impact. Perhaps a number of terrestrial based laser
cannons could contribute a few hundred megawatts. Then we could
always nuke whatever impact site for an extra good measure of
eliminating DoD spy technology secrets.
.. - Brad Guth