Spy satellite falling from orbit - but military says where it will land is classified

[Hugabear]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8UDPGFO0&show_article=1

<snip>
The satellite, which no longer be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.
<snip>

"Sorry folks - we realize there's a chance that this satellite could cause damage and casualties if it hits in a populated area, but we just can't tell you where or when it will happen. Good luck!"

[Fierce]

1. Well...THAT's a bit of a stretch.

It's weird enough, no need to make it weirder.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. 's okay - I'll just wear my tinfoil hat...

...because the odds of it hitting me are a billion to one, but the odds of it hitting me WHILE I'M wearing a tinfoil hat are ever less!:rofl:

[high density]

3. I hate to sound like Rumsfeld, but unknown is unknown.

They don't know where it is going to land. And how could they given the number of variables involved?

The OP topic here is total BS.

[Hugabear]

8. We can predict the orbits of thousands of asteroids and comets

But they can't predict what a satellite in our own orbit will do in just a few months?

I don't expect them to give a pinpoint location for where it's going to land, but I'm sure they have a pretty good idea of the vicinity - whether it's expected to splash down in the south Pacific Ocean, Siberia, somewhere in the Midwest, etc.

[high density]

9. Well for one thing they need to locate where it is right now...

...which may not be that easy if it has no power. There's a lot of other space junk out there. Maybe it will burn up on its way back in from orbit. Who knows?

The big problem is that there is nothing in the AP report you linked to which indicates they know where it is going to land and that the information is classified.

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. They can track it even if it has no power. They're still tracking Ed White's glove....

that he lost during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965.

They can easily track objects as small as 4 inches across.

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. Those sorts of things usually fall on Gilligan's Island.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Exactly.

:rofl:

[myrna minx]

12. Ok, you just made me laugh.

I'm sure the Professor could predict where it would land, with his coconut instruments and all.

[Th1onein]

14. OMG!

n/t

[papau]

5. I bet this is the other Hubble lens - the one without the problem - that they pretend is in the

wooden crate and claimed to be an unused back up mirror

The stories about being able to read a license plate (an exaggeration to be sure) would require that kind of ability - and it appears that is an ability we are about to lose.

[angrycarpenter]

7. the most hazardous thing about it

is someone just got a no bid contract for billions for a replacement. Just guessing.

[TahitiNut]

10. Huh?

[bigbrother05]

11. Rumsfeld will have to save the day with his

Missile Defense System