Russian Space Probe to Crash to Earth Within Hours

[UpInArms]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/russian-space-probe-crash-earth-hours-15364707#.TxLxDJc8zrU

A failed Russian probe designed to travel to a moon of Mars but stuck in Earth orbit will come crashing down within hours, likely in a shower of fragments that survive the fiery re-entry.

The unmanned Phobos Ground is one of the heaviest and most toxic space derelicts ever to crash to Earth, but space officials and experts say the risks are minimal as its orbit is mostly over water and most of the probe's structure will burn up in the atmosphere anyway.

Russia's space agency Roscosmos said the Phobos-Ground will crash between 1641 and 2105 GMT (11:41 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. EST). It could come down anywhere along the route of its next few orbits, which would include Europe, southeast Asia, Australia and South America. The U.S., Canada and much of Russia are outside the risk zone.

[alfredo]

1. When the fuel ignites there will be a nice light show.

[tridim]

2. I hope it comes down in a dark place..

So I can compare the "Russian space junk reentry" that I saw in 1988, that looked nothing like space junk reentering the atmosphere.

To this day I don't believe the official explanation.

[alfredo]

14. I saw a Japanese rocket fuel explosion/dump one night. It was as bright as the moon.

It was so odd. I looked up and it was shaped like a crescent moon. It was like having two moons overhead.

[HopeHoops]

3. Every time I see a story like this, I think John Belushi on SNL with SkyLab.

That was one of his finer moments.

[Submariner]

4. Hey Phobos buddy

do me a favor and slam into my car at about Mach 10 would ya? I've got it sitting out in the driveway waitin' for ya.

I can then sell my car and the chunk of Phobos on Ebay and make sumthin' out of this spectacular crash.

Hope to see ya on the Today Show with the crash details tomorrow mornin'.

[Brother Buzz]

5. This time for sure

[tawadi]

6. 'that includes a load of 11 metric tons (12 tons) of highly toxic rocket fuel '

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVxtemgALiQZFIHDXfZnhsjLZ03Q?docId=383f1c482b114daaa945b4d688b492f7

[montex]

7. It won't survive reentry

Hydrazine is some nasty stuff but it is also extremely volatile. There is no way it will survive the heat of reentry and the tanks that contain it will explode long before it gets anywhere near land. If you're worried that 12 tons of hydrazine disbursed in the atmosphere will harm anyone, don't. It is so reactive that it will bond instantly with any oxygen molecules it encounters and become stable and inert.

[itsrobert]

8. You sound like an expert

Where did you obtain your knowledge of the subject?

[FarPoint]

9. Thank you for such a clear explanation.

Welcome to DU.

[tawadi]

12. Thanks

Good to know.

[tridim]

10. It's been well over a "few hours" now. Any news?

[tridim]

11. Just found this: ***PHOBOS-GRUNT HAS RE-ENTERED***

January 15, 2012 - 18:45 UTC:

***PHOBOS-GRUNT HAS RE-ENTERED***

Entry Time: ~17:45 UTC
Entry Location: Pacific Ocean

http://www.spaceflight101.com/phobos-grunt-re-entry-information.html

[Bucky]

13. OMG! Attention all DUers, GO inside NOW!!

Phew, that was close...