We Are All Going to Die

[M-Cat]

I'm hiding out in my bomb shelter for the next week. Who knows where this thing will hit? By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 47 minutes ago A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday. The satellite, which no longer can 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. "Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council, when asked about the situation after it was disclosed by other officials. "Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause." He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time. A senior government official said that lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation. Such an uncontrolled re-entry could risk exposure of U.S. secrets, said John Pike, a defense and intelligence expert. Spy satellites typically are disposed of through a controlled re-entry into the ocean so that no one else can access the spacecraft, he said. Pike also said it's not likely the threat from the satellite could be eliminated by shooting it down with a missile, because that would create debris that would then re-enter the atmosphere and burn up or hit the ground. Pike, director of the defense research group GlobalSecurity.org, estimated that the spacecraft weighs about 20,000 pounds and is the size of a small bus. He said the satellite would create 10 times less debris than the Columbia space shuttle crash in 2003. As for possible hazardous material in the spacecraft, Pike said it might contain beryllium, a light metal with a high melting point that is used in the defense and aerospace industries. Breathing beryllium can lead to chronic, incurable respiratory problems. Jeffrey Richelson, a senior fellow with the National Security Archive, said the spacecraft likely is a photo reconnaissance satellite. Such eyes in the sky are used to gather visual information from space about adversarial governments and terror groups, including construction at suspected nuclear sites or militant training camps. The satellites also can be used to survey damage from hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters. The largest uncontrolled re-entry by a NASA spacecraft was Skylab, the 78-ton abandoned space station that fell from orbit in 1979. Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia. In 2000, NASA engineers successfully directed a safe de-orbit of the 17-ton Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, using rockets aboard the satellite to bring it down in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound science satellite smacked into the Earth's atmosphere and rained down over the Persian Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would plummet. ___ Associated Press writers Pamela Hess and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.

[Falsn]

Of course we all are going to die eventually. What are the chances of this thing landing onto you? Not much to worry about. Unless you tell me what to worry about.

[Jeff777]

Nice title.

[Sornaensis]

WALL.Of.TEXT. What?

[Xox]

Indeed we are.

[nina]

rubbish

[Sornaensis]

^ No.

[M-Cat]

I emerged from the shelter just now and everything seems normal. No need to panic; I am fine. I know you were all worrying.

[Howie]

New reports claim it is still a major threat.!!!!!!! Go back into hiding Mcat for about 10 years. I think that would be your safest move.

[Shark Rider]

Damn, I won't be able to play Star Craft II before I die!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I hate NASA!

[Ne-yo]

I've heard about this, the media is so funny, leaving out the most important information.

[M-Cat]

OK I looked outside and the trees were moving. I'm not kidding. They were moving back and forth, it was so scary. I thought their branches were gonna reach out and grab me.

[Shark Rider]

OK I looked outside and the trees were moving. I'm not kidding. They were moving back and forth, it was so scary. I thought their branches were gonna reach out and grab me. ....................? what this has to do with the aricraft thing???

[Xaqaria]

Of course we all are going to die eventually. What are the chances of this thing landing onto you? Not much to worry about. Unless you tell me what to worry about. Kind of random, but the wolf in your avatar is holding that gun three shades of wrong if he ever means to shoot anything. rubbish Correction. Space rubbish. Falling from the sky.

[Sornaensis]

OK I looked outside and the trees were moving. I'm not kidding. They were moving back and forth, it was so scary. I thought their branches were gonna reach out and grab me. I feel ur pain. Once I was outisde (Scary place in itself) And I had to take a leak in -45 degree weather!

[27]

I gotta get a helmet.

[CrimsonWolf]

Of course we all are going to die eventually. What are the chances of this thing landing onto you? Not much to worry about. Unless you tell me what to worry about. My thoughts exactly.

[Xaqaria]

*puts on best bad british cockney accent* "I'm not dead yet!"

[Umbrasquall]

If it is going to fall, they're not going to let it fall down where it can hurt anyone. Don't worry. Lots of death and end of the world theories recently. And that show Life after Humans came out on the History channel... hmm.

[Man of Shred]

OMMGZZZZ! WERE ALL GONNA DIEEED! jk. anyway stop it with the bombshelter stuff. it's killing me. hey don't work , I mean haven't you ever seen that simpsons episode?