Russian satellite Kosmos-1220 to crash to Earth today with ‘very real danger’ to populated areas

[Dem!god]

A Russian satellite that could weigh as much as three tonnes is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, reportedly representing a "very real danger" to densely populated areas. (Photo : Nasa)


A Russian satellite that could weigh as much as three tonnes is expected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere on Sunday, reportedly representing a "very real danger" to densely populated areas.

The final movements of Kosmos-1220, a decommissioned Soviet military device, are being monitored by Russian space officials, and Colonel Alexei Zolotukhin told the news agency RIA Novosti that it would begin an uncontrolled descent today.

Though the satellite will largely burn up as it passes through the atmosphere, experts said it was highly likely some fragments will survive to impact the planet's surface.

Colonel Zolotukhin said the debris was expected to come down somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, but added that the "impact time and location of the fragments from Kosmos-1220 may change due to external factors".

According to RIA Novosti, the exact size of the naval surveillance satellite has never been disclosed - but the Tsiklon-2 rocket which put it into orbit in 1980 was capable of carrying around three tonnes.

The uncertainty surrounding its re-entry time means debris from Kosmos-1220 could impact almost anywhere on earth, and Astronomy magazine editor David Eicher told Fox News this could represent a genuine threat to populated areas.

"Much of it will burn up in Earth's atmosphere, but no doubt fragments of Kosmos-1220 will reach Earth," Mr Eicher said.

"What we have going for us is that most of the planet is covered with water, and highly populated areas are in the minority of our planet's surface area. So it is unlikely that satellite debris will cause injuries or major damage. Still, with such a re-entry, we are playing the odds."

"This is a very real danger, given that a decaying orbit will carry this satellite down onto the planet," He added.

The last high-profile satellite re-entry was when the European Space Agency's GOCE unit - dubbed the "space Ferrari" because of its sleek and compact design - came down without damage to property in November last year.

The GOCE satellite weighed only one tonne, however - and had innovative ion drive propulsion systems allowing agency officials to direct it down over the uninhabited Southern Ocean.

The probability of debris from Kosmos-1220 coming down on land is higher, but it is still statistically unlikely anyone will be harmed.

Heiner Klinkrad, head of the ESA's Space Debris Office, said at the time of GOCE's descent: "In the 56 years of spaceflight, some 15,000 tonnes of man-made space objects have re-entered the atmosphere without causing a single human injury to date."

Russian satellite Kosmos-1220 to crash to Earth today with ‘very real danger’ to populated areas - The Times of India


@thesolar65 @scorpionx @levina @DRAY @chak de INDIA @Indischer @Parul @Hermione @Roybot @OrionHunter ......

 

[OrionHunter]

I don't think there's anything to worry about. The satellite would have disintegrated into small fragments, most of them burning up. The fragments that reach the ground will have a much reduced velocity. Most would hit the ground with a velocity of no more than 100 meters per second.There's a 1 in a billion chance of any of it hitting someone and 1 in a million chance of hitting a house!

So there's no need to panic and head for those caves in the hills!

 

[Levina]

Chances of the satellite crashing on ground are less
1) because earth is mostly made of water.So it might crash in sea.
2) due to friction in the atmosphere the 3 tonnes satellite will be reduced to bits and pieces.
So I dont see a real danger...but I hope it doesnt crash on somebody's car.

 

[dray]

Carry an umbrella till this is over.

 

[OrionHunter]

Chances of the satellite crashing on ground are less
So I dont see a real danger...but I hope it doesnt crash on somebody's car.

That's why I've put mine in the garage!!

 

[Levina]

That's why I've put mine in the garage!!

I still hope that a part of satellite (a minute one will do) comes and hits your car from the little space between the shutter and ground.And gives your car a BIG dent. Buhahaha

 

[JAT BALWAN]

Machhardani le ke sona parega aaj lagta hai...

 

[Levina]

Carry an umbrella till this is over.

Yeah sure it might rain satellite junk tomorrow

 

[Parul]

Machhardani le ke sona parega aaj lagta hai...

Kachua Chaap, Yaad say rakh lena.

 

[livingdead]

was launched by soviets who are renowned for their sense of humour?... what if they had a few nukes inside

 

[arp2041]

Any chance of hitting 23.7000° N, 90.3750° E ???

 

[OrionHunter]

I still hope that a part of satellite (a minute one will do) comes and hits your car from the little space between the shutter and ground.And gives your car a BIG dent. Buhahaha

Damn sadist !!!!!!!!!

 

[livingdead]

Any chance of hitting 23.7000° N, 90.3750° E ???

my didi hasina will catch it... she is invincible stupid indian troll..

 

[JAT BALWAN]

was launched by soviets who are renowned for their sense of humour?... what if they had a few nukes inside

Now this is called imagination... lol

 

[thesolar65]

A Russian satellite that could weigh as much as three tonnes is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, reportedly representing a "very real danger" to densely populated areas. (Photo : Nasa)


A Russian satellite that could weigh as much as three tonnes is expected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere on Sunday, reportedly representing a "very real danger" to densely populated areas.

The final movements of Kosmos-1220, a decommissioned Soviet military device, are being monitored by Russian space officials, and Colonel Alexei Zolotukhin told the news agency RIA Novosti that it would begin an uncontrolled descent today.

Though the satellite will largely burn up as it passes through the atmosphere, experts said it was highly likely some fragments will survive to impact the planet's surface.

Colonel Zolotukhin said the debris was expected to come down somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, but added that the "impact time and location of the fragments from Kosmos-1220 may change due to external factors".

According to RIA Novosti, the exact size of the naval surveillance satellite has never been disclosed - but the Tsiklon-2 rocket which put it into orbit in 1980 was capable of carrying around three tonnes.

The uncertainty surrounding its re-entry time means debris from Kosmos-1220 could impact almost anywhere on earth, and Astronomy magazine editor David Eicher told Fox News this could represent a genuine threat to populated areas.

"Much of it will burn up in Earth's atmosphere, but no doubt fragments of Kosmos-1220 will reach Earth," Mr Eicher said.

"What we have going for us is that most of the planet is covered with water, and highly populated areas are in the minority of our planet's surface area. So it is unlikely that satellite debris will cause injuries or major damage. Still, with such a re-entry, we are playing the odds."

"This is a very real danger, given that a decaying orbit will carry this satellite down onto the planet," He added.

The last high-profile satellite re-entry was when the European Space Agency's GOCE unit - dubbed the "space Ferrari" because of its sleek and compact design - came down without damage to property in November last year.

The GOCE satellite weighed only one tonne, however - and had innovative ion drive propulsion systems allowing agency officials to direct it down over the uninhabited Southern Ocean.

The probability of debris from Kosmos-1220 coming down on land is higher, but it is still statistically unlikely anyone will be harmed.

Heiner Klinkrad, head of the ESA's Space Debris Office, said at the time of GOCE's descent: "In the 56 years of spaceflight, some 15,000 tonnes of man-made space objects have re-entered the atmosphere without causing a single human injury to date."

Russian satellite Kosmos-1220 to crash to Earth today with ‘very real danger’ to populated areas - The Times of India

Arre, abhi abhi main family ke saath dosa and chole bhature kha ke aya hun, aur abhi yeh news!! isiliye main soch raha hun yeh baigar season barish kyon ho raha hai!!