Main > Everything Else

US could shoot down satellitte tomorrow night.

<< < (10/10)

Jdurg:

--- Quote from: danny_galaga on February 23, 2008, 11:51:37 pm ---
--- Quote from: Jdurg on February 23, 2008, 04:04:30 pm ---
With regards to radioactive material, it is possible that the satellite has a plutonium battery in there only because it has such a very long useful life span.  The thing is, those batteries contain so very little radioactive material because of the fact that they are faily efficient at creating the energy needed by the satellite.  Most of the energy it needs comes from the solar panels satellites have.  If the plutonium cell were to be vaporized in the freefall to earth, the equivalent would be like putting a mL of arsenic into the pacific ocean.  The dilution renders it harmless.  E.G. below normal background levels.


--- End quote ---

which is the same with the hydrazine. but in either case, if it stays in one piece thats supposedly where the danger is. if the hydrazine tank stays in one piece, how will anyone get poisoned? if it leaks, then it will react with most things it leaks on and break down into more benign components. i'm not saying thats a particulary safe scenario, but it's not as dangerous as they're making out (damn, maybe i'm a conspiracy theorist now?).

however, if the nuclear ful cell leaks it will stay radioactive. a much more dangerous situation in a way because it won't look dangerous. seeing a liquid leaking out of something which is spontaneously reacting with everything it touches would probably put most people on guard  ;)

--- End quote ---

Hehe.  Quite true.   ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page

Go to full version