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originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: TDawg61
The only ones I've heard of, just going by memory were deliberately blown up after reaching the end of their lifespan, or because they were coming down anyway and were something of a risk to the ground.
Three-axis attitude control is maintained in the orbital configuration by automatic momentum exchange between three momentum wheels. On board magnetic coils provide controlled interaction with the Earth's magnetic field to prevent the accumulation of wheel secular momentum. Operations of these coils is under control of the closed loop spacecraft attitude control system. Both the momentum wheels and gyroscopes are backed up by a fourth skewed unit for redundancy.
originally posted by: M5xaz...hydrazine was the cause.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: TDawg61
The only ones I've heard of, just going by memory were deliberately blown up after reaching the end of their lifespan, or because they were coming down anyway and were something of a risk to the ground.
originally posted by: M5xaz
a reply to: Bedlam
Satellites are made to be relatively sturdy, as once in orbit, they must operate with no maintenance for years.
When Columbia was destroyed, it gradually broke up - multiple step failure
As for Variable voltage over variable temperature...
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: AreUKiddingMe
Yeah and this particular satellite was for weather. Which is why it was in that orbit.
originally posted by: M5xaz
a reply to: Bedlam
You might want to Google the Apollo 13 accident. It was not a mere venting of gas.
It was a cascade failure of multiple components, two oxygen tanks in particular. It's a miracle the hydrogen tanks did not also rupture.