Just saw a bit on TV last night about the Swiss proposing to send a “janitor satellite” up to clean up the junk. BTW the biggest danger to the ISS is not meteorites or “incoming” stuff, but orbiting junk. The band of trash up there greatly complicates launches, especially “manned” missions.
Which, given “Man” has made getting into space very dangerous with our trash, just what makes folks think we haven’t affected that relatively paper-thin layer around the planet we call “the atmosphere”??
Yes, credit goes to the Swiss. Also to the US military. They are working on ways to perform controlled de-orbit of upper stages of rockets used to place the satellites in space in the first place.
Every piece of “junk” out there has increased human knowledge and brought us technology that was only dreamed of prior to the space age. For just one, how many could even dream of being without your ear ring you call a cell phone?
The satellites aren’t the problem, it’s all the junk from boosters and “loose parts” left behind. It’s amusing to watch the panic whenever a reasonably large piece re-enters and everyone worries about getting hit by it. We’ve got some great technology, like communications and weather satellites, and morons on the ground that use it stupidly, or ignore what we’ve learned from it. (texting, and AGW deniers, in that order)
fugcheese about 12 years ago
Congrats on the move to GoComics!
cpetrosky Premium Member about 12 years ago
At least the Swiss are attempting to do something about cleaning it up. Why do they have to be the only ones who do something about it?
Marilyn A Stolz about 12 years ago
suttle point being made…. i like it.
Dtroutma about 12 years ago
Just saw a bit on TV last night about the Swiss proposing to send a “janitor satellite” up to clean up the junk. BTW the biggest danger to the ISS is not meteorites or “incoming” stuff, but orbiting junk. The band of trash up there greatly complicates launches, especially “manned” missions.
Which, given “Man” has made getting into space very dangerous with our trash, just what makes folks think we haven’t affected that relatively paper-thin layer around the planet we call “the atmosphere”??
SwimsWithSharks about 12 years ago
GoComics, nice announcement for Joe Heller but you should have already had his name in the list of cartoons I can add to my list.
wlu21021 about 12 years ago
Yes, credit goes to the Swiss. Also to the US military. They are working on ways to perform controlled de-orbit of upper stages of rockets used to place the satellites in space in the first place.
orion about 12 years ago
Every piece of “junk” out there has increased human knowledge and brought us technology that was only dreamed of prior to the space age. For just one, how many could even dream of being without your ear ring you call a cell phone?
Dtroutma about 12 years ago
The satellites aren’t the problem, it’s all the junk from boosters and “loose parts” left behind. It’s amusing to watch the panic whenever a reasonably large piece re-enters and everyone worries about getting hit by it. We’ve got some great technology, like communications and weather satellites, and morons on the ground that use it stupidly, or ignore what we’ve learned from it. (texting, and AGW deniers, in that order)
roggar53 about 12 years ago
Tellin it , like it is!