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www.space.com...
A gravity-mapping European satellite nearing the end of its fuel supply will make an uncontrolled plunge back to Earth, likely in October, according to AFP.
The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer, called GOCE for short, was launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2009. The sleek 17.2-foot (5.3-meter) spacecraft has been in a very low orbit at 160 miles (260 kilometers) above Earth, a the electric propulsion system keeping the vehicle aloft will stop working sometime between late September and early November, ESA's mission manager told AFP.
en.wikipedia.org...
Xenon oxytetrafluoride (XeOF4) is an inorganic chemical compound. As are all xenon compounds, it is extremely reactive and unstable, and hydrolyses in water to give dangerously hazardous and corrosive products:
XeOF4 + 2H2O → Xe + 4HF + 3/2 O2
In addition, some ozone and fluorine are also formed. The reaction is extremely dangerous, and xenon oxytetrafluoride should therefore be kept away from any trace of water or water vapour under all conditions.
XeOF4 reacts with H2O in the following steps:
XeOF4 + H2O → XeO2F2 + 2HF
XeO2F2 + H2O → XeO3 + 2HF
XeO3 is a dangerous explosive, decomposing explosively to Xe and 3/2 O2.
piequal3because14
Satellite Goce launched in 2009,will fall on Earth between late September and early November.
It gravity-mapping satellite tool.
www.space.com...
A gravity-mapping European satellite nearing the end of its fuel supply will make an uncontrolled plunge back to Earth, likely in October, according to AFP.
The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer, called GOCE for short, was launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2009. The sleek 17.2-foot (5.3-meter) spacecraft has been in a very low orbit at 160 miles (260 kilometers) above Earth, a the electric propulsion system keeping the vehicle aloft will stop working sometime between late September and early November, ESA's mission manager told AFP.
His orbit is very low at 160 miles and he will be out of fuel and will make an uncontrolled plunge back to Earth.
It has an Ionic engine and his fuel is xenon.
It has a very interesting octogonal shape and two wings which can make him fly like a plane.
And the energy panels can protect him from burning when hitting the upper atmosphere even if at unproper angle.
Even if in his tank will remain almost nothing,when hitting earth the xenon tank can be a very dangerous explosive in contact with water vapors,air and it's compounds.
en.wikipedia.org...
Xenon oxytetrafluoride (XeOF4) is an inorganic chemical compound. As are all xenon compounds, it is extremely reactive and unstable, and hydrolyses in water to give dangerously hazardous and corrosive products:
XeOF4 + 2H2O → Xe + 4HF + 3/2 O2
In addition, some ozone and fluorine are also formed. The reaction is extremely dangerous, and xenon oxytetrafluoride should therefore be kept away from any trace of water or water vapour under all conditions.
XeOF4 reacts with H2O in the following steps:
XeOF4 + H2O → XeO2F2 + 2HF
XeO2F2 + H2O → XeO3 + 2HF
XeO3 is a dangerous explosive, decomposing explosively to Xe and 3/2 O2.
They say that 550 pounds will survive from the entire satellite but it can come in one piece,just like a small space ship size 17.2-foot and 2200 pounds.
And they don't know where it will land.
Oh and also this tool was used to measure Earth's gravity field and anomalies ,like deep underground facilities(and to map them) used for military purposes by some countries.
OneManArmy
reply to post by piequal3because14
Sorry, you lost me when you started referring to a satellite as "him".
It might be out of control,or the initial design concept does not allow an controlled entry.
Superb, so a satellite used amongst others for military purposes, still has fuel to make a controlled entry...yet they are waiting for it to run out of fuel with an unknown landing? Either the people running this are completely irresponsible, or it will land exactly where they want it to.
Glad that I could share it and be helpful with it.
Thank you for sharing this info OP!
NotAnAspie
Four years aye? Is that the extent they could keep it up?
What a wonderful thought with all the satellites they have up there, one of these coming down oh just anywhere on a regular basis.