China's first space station, Tiangong-1, has been out of control since September 2016, and now experts have predicted when and where it will come crashing back down to Earth.
The European Space Agency (ESA) predicts that the 8.5-tonne spacecraft will make an 'uncontrolled re-entry' to our planet between January and March 2018.
While a precise landing location remains unclear, ESA has provided the latitudes between which Tiangong-1 is likely to land – and countries at risk include Spain, Italy, Turkey, India and parts of the US.
ESA has announced that it is hosting an international campaign to monitor the re-entry of Tiangong-1 early next year.
The Tiangong-1 spacecraft launched in 2011, with the aim of using the craft to set up a larger space station.
But in September 2016, Chinese officials confirmed that they had lost control of the spacecraft.
The craft is now at about 300 kilometres (186 miles) altitude in an orbit that is expected to decay sometime between January and March 2018, when it will make an uncontrolled re-entry.
Holger Krag, head of ESA's Space Debris Office, said: 'Owing to the geometry of the station's orbit, we can already exclude the possibility that any fragments will fall over any spot further north than 43°N or further south than 43°S.
'This means that re-entry may take place over any spot on Earth between these latitudes, which includes several European countries, for example.
'The date, time and geographic footprint of the re-entry can only be predicted with large uncertainties.
'Even shortly before re-entry, only a very large time and geographical window can be estimated.'
Much of the spacecraft is expected to burn up in the atmosphere upon re-entry.
But owing to the station's mass and construction materials, there is a possibility that some portions of it will survive and reach the surface.
In the history of spaceflight, no casualties due to falling space debris have ever been confirmed.
ESA plans to conduct an international expert workshop on 28 February to focus on re-entry predictions, in the hopes of anticipating Tiangong's return to Earth.
Source: Daily Mail
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
In the article you wrote there is no where that is stated Ghana will be hit.. so what is the worry.. Hmmm this are some of the reasons why I support HE Donald J T. Of the US...
Barring saying that the debris of the Chinese satellite which has gone out of control could fall anywhere in the world other than the Polar regions and at any time, the ESA predictions say practically nothing at all that is actionable. China should be made to pay damages to countries that suffer loss of lives and/or property for their satellite going awry. There could be a future world-wide insurance agency where all satellites should be required to take Third Party Insurance Policies and pay premia to pay for future damages if any and such insurance agency should have power to impose sanctions against countries sending satellites or carry out mandatory inspections to ensure adherence to minimum safety standards.
Really, really!!! There is no particular mention of Ghana,not even Africa!! Even after the "a very large time and geographical window can be estimated" bit. So is this how you get our attention? Unless of course by 2018, Ghana becomes part of the USA, Europe or Asia. Who is to know? The wonders of the world. We should prepare to wear the ''metal helmet" since we know what is coming from above.
eehhh!!!! China and their product hhmmmmm!!!!