Heads Up: Spy Satellite Falls To Earth
c>log
A spy satellite, launched and used by the United States, has lost power and its orbit is beginning to decay. The satellite, about the size of a school bus, could possibly survive the stress of re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere and crash into the surface of the earth. There is no telling where this satellite could crash, but word is that it could possibly contain “hazardous materials” which could scatter over several thousand miles of atmosphere. The spy satellite is expected to return to earth in late February or early March of this year. Officials have not commented on whether the spy satellite could be shot down if the satellite appears to be headed toward a population center, a nuclear reactor, a public landmark etc.
Earth has experienced this before — in 1979 with the return of Skylab, the first space station launched into orbit by the United States. The story begins with Skylab in space, left in what was supposed to be a parking orbit, expected to last at least eight years. The Space Shuttle was slated to dock with Skylab and elevate the space station to a higher safe altitude in 1979 — however, the shuttles were not able to launch until 1981. The space station was in need of a major overhaul and it had been left in space too long. So, what went up came down. It came down with a narrow re-entry footprint (about 4°) over parts of the Indian Ocean and Western Australia. In fact, an Australian municipality, the Shire of Esperance, fined the United States $400 for littering. It would be interesting to know if this fine was ever paid.
The return of Skylab was an international media spectacle, with huge amount of merchandising, wagering on the time and place of re-entry and endless news reports. The San Francisco Examiner even offered a $10,000 prize for the first piece of Skylab to be delivered to their offices. This event even inspired the creation of a new cocktail — a Skylab Falling (or in some places, a Skylab Fallout). Perhaps some enterprising bartender will take a look at this come up with something new and flashy for a spy satellite falling back to earth. Here is the 1979 cocktail recipe for a Skylab Falling in two versions to start the process:
UPDATE!
Related c>log Article:
Spy Satellite: Ready! Aim! Fire!
A spy satellite, launched and used by the United States, has lost power and its orbit is beginning to decay. The satellite, about the size of a school bus, could possibly survive the stress of re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere and crash into the surface of the earth. There is no telling where this satellite could crash, but word is that it could possibly contain “hazardous materials” which could scatter over several thousand miles of atmosphere. The spy satellite is expected to return to earth in late February or early March of this year. Officials have not commented on whether the spy satellite could be shot down if the satellite appears to be headed toward a population center, a nuclear reactor, a public landmark etc.
Earth has experienced this before — in 1979 with the return of Skylab, the first space station launched into orbit by the United States. The story begins with Skylab in space, left in what was supposed to be a parking orbit, expected to last at least eight years. The Space Shuttle was slated to dock with Skylab and elevate the space station to a higher safe altitude in 1979 — however, the shuttles were not able to launch until 1981. The space station was in need of a major overhaul and it had been left in space too long. So, what went up came down. It came down with a narrow re-entry footprint (about 4°) over parts of the Indian Ocean and Western Australia. In fact, an Australian municipality, the Shire of Esperance, fined the United States $400 for littering. It would be interesting to know if this fine was ever paid.
The return of Skylab was an international media spectacle, with huge amount of merchandising, wagering on the time and place of re-entry and endless news reports. The San Francisco Examiner even offered a $10,000 prize for the first piece of Skylab to be delivered to their offices. This event even inspired the creation of a new cocktail — a Skylab Falling (or in some places, a Skylab Fallout). Perhaps some enterprising bartender will take a look at this come up with something new and flashy for a spy satellite falling back to earth. Here is the 1979 cocktail recipe for a Skylab Falling in two versions to start the process:
| Skylab Falling (Kick Ass Version) | ||||
| Ingredient | | Amount | |  |
| Blue Curacao | 1/2 Ounce | |||
| Gin | | 1/2 Ounce | ||
| Rum | 1/2 Ounce | |||
| Tequila | 1/2 Ounce | |||
| Vodka | 1/2 Ounce | |||
| Use a clean hurricane glass. Ice first, then alcohol dummy. | ||||
| Skylab Falling (Super Kick Ass Version) |  | |||
| 190 Proof Alcohol | | 1 Ounce | ||
| Blue Curacao | 1 Ounce | |||
| 151 Proof Rum | 1 Ounce | |||
| Apricot Brandy | 1/2 Ounce | |||
| Orange Juice | 1 Ounce | |||
| Pineapple Juice | 1 Ounce | |||
| Collins Mix | 1 Ounce | |||
| Stir very well and then some! Garnish with a sprig of mint. | ||||
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| EricHatheway.com OnLine Store | ||||
UPDATE!
Related c>log Article:
Spy Satellite: Ready! Aim! Fire!
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