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US Spy Satellite Could Crash To Earth In February

by Ian O'Neill on January 27, 2008

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The Russian space station Mir reentering the the atmosphere in 2001. Substantial pieces crashed into the Pacific Ocean (credit: Reuters)
After all the excitement surrounding the possibility of asteroid 2007 WD5 hitting Mars and the concern of Near Earth Asteroid 2007 TU24 dropping to Earth, we now have something new (and manmade) to worry about. A US spy satellite has lost power and its orbit has begun to degrade. Officials are sketchy about the details, but the large satellite could survive the burn of re-entry and crash into the surface… but we don’t know where. The satellite might contain dangerous materials… but we can’t be sure. Either way, the dead spy satellite is expected to drop to Earth late February or early March.

This event could prove embarrassing for the US government, as there is little idea where the site of impact will be, sensitive US secrets could be exposed about the technology behind the orbital capabilities of the superpower nation. Officials have declined to comment whether the satellite could be shot down by missile, but this will surely remain an option.

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“Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause.” – Spokesman for the National Security Council, Gordon Johndroe

The problem doesn’t stop with the possibility of fatal damage should the satellite fall in the wrong place. An anonymous official has added there may be the possibility the satellite could be carrying hazardous materials. During atmospheric burn-up, this unknown material could be spread over thousands of miles of atmosphere.

This usually isn’t a concern when satellites and other debris are brought to Earth in controlled re-entries. Large defunct satellites can usually have their orbital trajectories finely tuned so they fall safely though the atmosphere and crash into “satellite graveyards” in deep ocean trenches (i.e. the Mir space station was guided out of orbit in 2001 and sunk in the Pacific 6000 km off the Australian coast).

Hopefully a solution to this tricky problem can be found quickly, but it is hoped that most of the satellite will disintegrate during re-entry and any leftovers drop into the ocean… but it would be nice to know if there is a risk of impact anywhere other than the oceans. 

Source: MSNBC.com

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[Check out my space blog: Astroengine.com]

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Hello! My name is Ian O'Neill and I've been writing for the Universe Today since December 2007. I am a solar physics doctor, but my space interests are wide-ranging. Since becoming a science writer I have been drawn to the more extreme astrophysics concepts (like black hole dynamics), high energy physics (getting excited about the LHC!) and general space colonization efforts. I am also heavily involved with the Mars Homestead project (run by the Mars Foundation), an international organization to advance our settlement concepts on Mars. I also run my own space physics blog: Astroengine.com, be sure to check it out!

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  • cody

    man this sucks if this dosnt kill us that huge ass metor will u guys know the one thats suposed to hit in 2020 and thats suposed to kill all life on earth

  • Albert

    I can’t believe you are worrying about it.
    There is nothing you can do.
    There is a greater chance of you being hit by lightning.
    Chill out.
    Lmao.

  • Albert

    Malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 has been in the news lately because of expectations that it will reenter Earth’s atmosphere in March and turn into a spectacular fireball. Reentry has not yet begun, but sky watchers are already noticing the satellite as it zips over Europe and the United States shining as brightly as a first or second magnitude star. Typical photos are shown on spaceweather.com. In fact, USA 193 may never reenter, at least not in one piece. The Pentagon has announced it will attempt to blast the satellite with a missile before its orbit decays. This would lessen the chances of dangerous satellite debris and fuel reaching the ground while increasing the population of space junk in low-Earth orbit. Would you like to see USA 193 with your own eyes? It is about to make a series of evening appearances over many U.S. towns and cities, beginning this weekend and continuing until the Pentagon intervenes. Flyby timetables may be found at heavens-above.com. You can receive telephone and email alerts when the satellite is about to fly over your backyard by subscribing to spaceweatherphone.com

    It’s getting shot. Chillax.

  • http://www.universetoday.com/12591/us-spy-satellite-could-impact-with-earth-in-february/ fares

    look , lits say if it comes to USA the the whole state will be gone like macsico and other countries and people says that 50 % possible it crash in australia and australia next to it isthe sea so it will do a tosonamy to the gulf countries and the ones next to it and i heard the news says that in the sattelite there is hazardous chimecal and in the sattelite fuel its toxic if its burn …..

  • Terra

    They shot the thing down already. You’re all fine. You will live to worry another day. The largest pieces falling from the sky now are the size of footballs. They are falling over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. And, they are pretty sure they hit the fuel tank when they shot it. So, not very much to be concerned about anymore.

  • Who Cares?

    Man i wish it had landed right smack in the middle of China. That would be F N hilarious

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