Astronauts unconcerned with satellite intercept plans
Posted: Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 7:03 AM ET (1203 GMT)
Astronauts on board the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis said Saturday they are not concerned with US military plans to hit a failed spy satellite in a decaying orbit with a missile, despite the potential for debris generation from such an event. The intercept, announced Thursday, will not take place until Atlantis returns to Earth on Wednesday, so the crew of STS-122 said they had no reason to be concerned with the attempt. The crew of the ISS said they were also not worried about the plans, because the satellite will be well below the altitude of the ISS when the intercept is made and that most of the resulting debris should quickly reenter. ISS and shuttle crews are wrapping up their work on the station, with hatches separating the two closing on Sunday in advance of the shuttle's departure on Monday.
Astronauts on board the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis said Saturday they are not concerned with US military plans to hit a failed spy satellite in a decaying orbit with a missile, despite the potential for debris generation from such an event. The intercept, announced Thursday, will not take place until Atlantis returns to Earth on Wednesday, so the crew of STS-122 said they had no reason to be concerned with the attempt. The crew of the ISS said they were also not worried about the plans, because the satellite will be well below the altitude of the ISS when the intercept is made and that most of the resulting debris should quickly reenter. ISS and shuttle crews are wrapping up their work on the station, with hatches separating the two closing on Sunday in advance of the shuttle's departure on Monday.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force adds Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to NSSL contract
Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:19 AM ET (1319 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, March 31
Startup CEO accused of spending investor cash on ‘call girls’ after financial regulators barred him from Wall Street
The Independent — 4:58 am ET (0858 GMT) Isar declares rocket launch a success despite crash on first attempt to reach orbit
Financial Times — 4:56 am ET (0856 GMT) Spectrum takes flight and clears the launch pad
ESA — 4:56 am ET (0856 GMT) First orbital rocket launched from Europe crashes into sea - but company says test 'met all expectations'
Sky News — 4:55 am ET (0855 GMT) Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum Rocket Inaugural Launch Fails
Aviation Week — 4:54 am ET (0854 GMT) |
