Spy Satellite Falling from Orbit

A US spy satellite has recently lost power and propulsion and could hit Earth sometime in February. The satellite could possible contain hazardous materials. It is not currently known where on Earth the satellite could hit. The information is classified as secret. "Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. "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." Johndroe wouldn't talk about specifics to interviewers.

The largest previous uncontrolled reentry by a man-made craft was NASA's Skylab, the 78-ton abandoned space station that fell from orbit in 1979, and its debris fell harmlessly into the Indian Ocean. I would imagine that this satellite will also fall into the ocean, the odds are 3 to 1. Though if it is predicted that it will hit a populated area, I would think that plans would be made to dispose of the object, possibly by firing at it with missiles. I don't think we have too much to worry about this but as you know, only time will tell.

Source: Associated Press, space.com

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Ariane 5 rockets puts Africa's first satellite into space

On Friday Africa flew into the space age on an Ariane 5 rocket. It was an African telecommunications satellite though there was also another satellite on the rocket made by a US-Japanese joint venture, Arianespace said. The rocket, the 36th launch of an Ariane 5 and the sixth this year, lifted off at 9:42 GMT and successfully placed the satellites for the pan-African operator RascomStar-QAF and US-Japanese Horizons 2 Satellite LLC. The pan-African satellite, weighing 3.2 tonnes, is the first from the continent to be put into space. Several African dignitaries witnessed the launch but Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, who was expected, was a no show. The Horizons-2 satellite, weighing 2.3 tonnes, was manufactured by Satellite LLC, a joint venture between Intelsat of the US and Japanese firm JSAT. Hopefully Africa will continue with space ventures and catch up with the rest of the world. I would say this is a good start.

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Odyssey Moon Accepts Google X Prize Challenge

This Thursday Odyssey Moon unveiled its plans the enter Google's Lunar X Prize. The Google X Prize competition is a global race to see who can land the first private spacecraft on the moon without any government aid. The competition has a $30 million dollar purse which will hardly cover the expected $60-$100 million cost of the venture but the company will then have a moon capable spacecraft which will be worth quite a lot and they may even have a new and ripe market for their services. Based in the Isle of Man – located just off the west coast of Great Britain – Odyssey Moon's inaugural mission will involve a small robotic lander designed to deliver scientific, exploration and commercial gear to the surface of the Moon. Odyssey Moon believes that there will sometime soon be a moon rush and they intend to cash in on it. The Google X Prize must be won by 2013 for anyone to get the prize money.

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Solar System Squashed, Classified USA Rocket launched

New studies show theory that our solar system is slightly dented and even squashed on the southern heliosphere. An interesting little story, I just thought I would mention it to you, if you want to read some more http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22186054/ there you go.

Today United Launch Alliance launched a classified USA intelligence satellite into orbit today and it seems that it was a very successful launch aboard the ULA's reliable Atlas 5 rocket, there will obviously be little news about this satellite because it is classified but if I learn anything of interest I will of course pass it along.

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