Friday, July 15, 2016

Has China Lost Control Of Its Space Station?

Artist's illustration of China's 8-ton Tiangong-1 space lab, which is expected to fall to Earth late next year, unless it's boosted to a higher altitude. Credit: CMSE

Space.com: When Will China's 'Heavenly Palace' Space Lab Fall Back to Earth?

A Chinese space lab is bound to come back to Earth relatively soon, but when and where this happens is a matter of debate and speculation.

For example, some satellite trackers think China may have lost control of the uncrewed 8-ton (7.3 metric tons) vehicle, which is called Tiangong-1. That's the view of Thomas Dorman, who has been documenting flyovers of the spacecraft using telescopes, binoculars, video and still cameras, a DVD recorder, a computer and other gear.

"If I am right, China will wait until the last minute to let the world know it has a problem with their space station," Dorman told Space.com.

Read more ....

Update: China space station Tiangong-1 in freefall, heading towards earth, astronomers say (Financial Express)

WNU Editor: The "experts" are telling us to not worry .... No, China's Tiangong-1 Will Not "Rain Molten Metal Down Onto Earth" (Smithsonian).

No comments: