Updates on The Descending Chinese Space Station

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss

originally posted by: MissSmartypants

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
2011?!

Why didnt they just add another piece to ISS?

So why do we share a space station with the Russians but not the Chinese? Russia is a proud nation and China is a proud nation but Russia's proud and cheap.

Sounds about as backwards as being gungho about labelling Russia our enemy for the same snip China does (spycraft bs), but licking China's boots.

Actually it sounds witty and well written. You're welcome.

a reply to: MissSmartypants

Yes i noticed that height , last perigee was around 104 miles .Apparently the equator has a slightly lower gravitational pull but a thicker atmosphere . I wonder if that is the reason for the variations .

originally posted by: hutch622
a reply to: MissSmartypants

Yes i noticed that height , last perigee was around 104 miles .Apparently the equator has a slightly lower gravitational pull but a thicker atmosphere . I wonder if that is the reason for the variations .

I've noticed over the weeks that it descends slower over the equator and I've just assumed it's because the atmosphere bulges out over the equator. It also descends less in daylight then earth's shadow which I attribute to the warming of the sun causing the atmosphere to expand.

Most or all of what doesn't burn up in the atmosphere is likely to land in oceanic waters but that is not a certainty. This is fun to track. Littering fines may be in order.

a reply to: MissSmartypants

I really dont know the physics of it all just guesses on my part . Looks like its on its way down now so be interesting to see how low it goes .

originally posted by: hutch622
a reply to: MissSmartypants

Yes i noticed that height , last perigee was around 104 miles .Apparently the equator has a slightly lower gravitational pull but a thicker atmosphere . I wonder if that is the reason for the variations .

So you're sitting there watching the little depiction of Tiangong slowly traversing the map same as me. We're a special breed, you and I.

originally posted by: Illumimasontruth
Most or all of what doesn't burn up in the atmosphere is likely to land in oceanic waters but that is not a certainty. This is fun to track. Littering fines may be in order.

Several months ago when they first announced it was going to come down they were saying pieces as large as 250 pounds could survive re-entry. Now they're saying it will be small pieces. How nice of them to be concerned about our feelings and try to keep us from worrying.

a reply to: Illumimasontruth

This is fun to track. Littering fines may be in order.

Dont laugh , its happened before .
Australia fines NASA for littering .

a reply to: hutch622

As it's over sw asia and headed for Australia.

originally posted by: hutch622
a reply to: Illumimasontruth

This is fun to track. Littering fines may be in order.

Dont laugh , its happened before .
Australia fines NASA for littering .

You may have noticed that it didn't descend very far before starting to go back up again as it approached the equator. It does that sometimes when it approaches the equator in daylight. Shortly after it crosses the equator it should start to descend again...this time to a slightly lower perigee than last time.

originally posted by: Bigburgh
a reply to: hutch622

As it's over sw asia and headed for Australia.

Some places generate revenue by writing a lot of speeding tickets. With Australia maybe it's littering fines for space junk.

So will it hit on Easter Day.

a reply to: Bigburgh

As it's over sw asia and headed for Australia

Next time around it should be close to overhead , hopefully i can get a look although its pretty cloudy .

originally posted by: hutch622
a reply to: Bigburgh

As it's over sw asia and headed for Australia

Next time around it should be close to overhead , hopefully i can get a look although its pretty cloudy .

It's gaining quite a bit of altitude as it's passing over Australia right now. I imagine all the people there are frantically shooing it away with their hands as it passes over head and it seems to be working.

a reply to: hutch622

It's supposed to be over me around 5 am est. But it's going to snow, so I'll head to bed here soon and check in when I wake.

MSP: I'm sure you'll keep us up to speed

originally posted by: Bigburgh
a reply to: hutch622

It's supposed to be over me around 5 am est. But it's going to snow, so I'll head to bed here soon and check in when I wake.

MSP: I'm sure you'll keep us up to speed

Sweet dreams.

a reply to: Bigburgh

Will look up in an hour and see if i can see it , maybe try for a picture . Cloudy but .

a reply to: hutch622

Good luck

And thanks MSP

a reply to: MissSmartypants

I was wondering about that.
Thank You.
S&F

originally posted by: Wildmanimal
a reply to: MissSmartypants

I was wondering about that.
Thank You.
S&F

I knew you were and you're welcome.