Recycle Space Debris

[slanfan]

I just read that the space station crew are tossing a used ammonia container into space. What is the deal? They say the container is spent. So what!! They can bring it back to Earth, and RECYCLE it!!<br /><br />NASA is suppose to set the bar for science..what a joke that's become. According to the article NASA is 'pretty sure' that most of the container will burn in the atmosphere, and the smaller chucks, not pieces, chucks, will fall into the ocean. Don't we have enough rubbish in the water..duh..I guess NASA is not of that opinion. VERY,VERY SAD..SHAME ON NASA/RUSSIAN SPACE AGENT TOO.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Welcome to SDC!<br /><br />Small containers such as these will completely burn up in the atmosphere. Nothing will make it to the ocean, so it's not a pollution issue.<br /><br />Believe it or not it costs money and space to bring things back, and the added waight (and having a container on board with toxic ammonia on board would add to the risk to the crew.<br /><br />You're awfully worked up about nothing, in my opinion. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

Space onboard the ISS extremely limited, too. I would imagine they discard everything once it has served it's purpose. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

"I just read that the space station crew are tossing a used ammonia container into space. What is the deal? They say the container is spent. So what!! They can bring it back to Earth, and RECYCLE it!! <br /><br />There is no room for it on any of the shuttle missions.<br />It isn't that easy just to bring something back<br /><br />What will survive entry is not an exact science. As for the smaller chunks, they are small and would be metal, which would sink and isn't polluting.

 

[erioladastra]

The earliest we could return it would be well after its sturtural lifetime. In addition, it would have to be moved prior to the relocation of P6 and ther eis no good way to move it and resecure it. It was unfortunately never used but that might be a good thing. It is unfortunate but it was the best judgement at the time.<br /><br />And there will be aprts that definitely survive - the spherical tanks very likely will. It is not an exact science but we are pretty sure on that.

 

[henryhallam]

I guess the orbit lifetime can't be predicted with enough accuracy to determine where it will reenter yet. But considering the number of meteorites that reach the surface of the Earth every year (approx 19000 objects > 0.1kg) and the fact that there are no recorded incidents of anyone actually being hit by one, the risk to person and property isn't very significant.