Dynaverse.net

Off Topic => Ten Forward => Topic started by: Nemesis on October 17, 2004, 12:23:29 pm

Title: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Nemesis on October 17, 2004, 12:23:29 pm
Link to story (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-04zzq.html)

Quote
Unmanned Chinese Return Capsule Crashes Lands Into House

Beijing (AFP) Oct 17, 2004
A Chinese satellite smashed into a villager's house on its return to earth, destroying the dwelling but causing no injuries, state media reported Sunday.

The capsule, the recoverable section of a probe launched to carry out scientific experiments in space, accidentally landed on the building in southwestern Sichuan province after an 18-day mission, the Youth Daily said.

"A giant parachute with a conical-shaped black 'top' was seen falling from the sky and landed through the roof of a villager's house in the Tianbeizi vegetable market area," the newspaper said.

The roof was completely destroyed, with the supporting pillars knocked to the ground, it said. However the capsule was undamaged and was hauled away after being inspected by experts.
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Gambler on October 17, 2004, 12:25:25 pm
Somebody got lucky there.
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: J. Carney on October 17, 2004, 12:26:36 pm
Somebody got lucky there.

Yeah, who knows what John Chinaman would have done to the poor fool if his house had broke that probe...

they'd have probably shot him for it!
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Gambler on October 17, 2004, 12:35:11 pm
And charged him for the bullet.
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: J. Carney on October 17, 2004, 01:09:14 pm
And charged him for the bullet.

Of course... you expect THE GOVERNMENT to pay for it?

I mean, it was his fault for building his house where the probe was supposed to land, after all!!!
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: E_Look on October 17, 2004, 02:18:39 pm
Wrong.  They would have charged his MOTHER for the bullet.  (No joke!)
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: J. Carney on October 17, 2004, 02:31:58 pm
Wrong.  They would have charged his MOTHER for the bullet.  (No joke!)

That's right... I mean his estate couldn't have paid for it, as it belongs to teh gov't after he kicks anyway.
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Sirgod on October 17, 2004, 03:09:18 pm
It's Plagerism Plain and Simple. China's trying to start there own show Like "Dead Like Me".

Stephen
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Harlax on October 18, 2004, 08:33:11 am
Amusing as this is, if you remember 25 years ago when Skylab came down, we were rather uncertain and nervous about where (or on whom) it might fall.
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Gambler on October 18, 2004, 09:02:05 am
Heh, we just aimed Skylab at Australia.  Low population density and nobody would notice.  ;)
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Harlax on October 18, 2004, 09:51:58 am
Yep, 10 years after putting a man on the moon our number one space priority was figuring out how to best crash our first space station.  A bit depressing don't you think?
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Clark Kent on October 18, 2004, 12:45:30 pm
Well it makes sense, after all.  I mean, it wasn't doing anything useful anyways, so might as well find new and innovative ways to blow it up.   ;D
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Hale on October 18, 2004, 03:51:31 pm
Yep, 10 years after putting a man on the moon our number one space priority was figuring out how to best crash our first space station.  A bit depressing don't you think?

Exactly. 
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Sirgod on October 18, 2004, 03:55:12 pm
Heh, we just aimed Skylab at Australia.  Low population density and nobody would notice.  ;)

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stephen
Title: Re: How not to land a Space Capsule.
Post by: Just plain old Punisher on October 18, 2004, 07:00:05 pm
We have too much junk up there as it is. Everything from adult astronaut diapers to floating hammers, to rocket-booster engines.

It's a good idea to reenter large objects like a space station.

Most satelites only have enough fuel for 4-5 years of manuvering (Depending on the satelite). So once that's gone, the satelite may still function...but will be unable to stabilize or correct it's orbit.