from Hacker News

A place spacecraft go to die

by mmariani on 10/22/17, 7:28 AM with 18 comments

• by Avshalom on 10/22/17, 11:27 PM

  Tangentially related: https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K...

  Rocket debris in Kazakhstan. Which I am always looking for reasons to post.

• by GlenTheMachine on 10/22/17, 11:50 PM

  Note that this only applies to low earth orbit. Geosynchronous spacecraft don't re-enter; they instead are retired to the “graveyard”, a supersynch orbit about 500 to 1000 km above GEO.

• by igni on 10/23/17, 3:45 AM

  Reminds me a lot of Skylab debris (mentioned in the article): http://mentalfloss.com/article/70708/nasas-unpaid-400-litter...

• by perlgeek on 10/23/17, 9:21 AM

  Wasn't there some speculation about destroying satellites with ground-based high-powered lasers?

  One could try to blast this thing into multiple smaller pieces, most of which would likely burn up in the atmosphere.

  If it doesn't work, the failed attempt shouldn't increase the risk for anybody.

• by maybeiambatman on 10/23/17, 3:39 AM

  Is there a protocol for warning people if an out-of-control satellite crash is imminent in a populated area?

  Who is responsible for covering damages caused by this satellite?

• by demarq on 10/23/17, 10:40 AM

  what about the reactors? surely this must have some environmental impact...