Russian Probe May Crash in Populated Area - 'Most Toxic Falling Satellite Ever'

TRACK PHOBOS: http://digilander.libero.it/SATrack/Phobos.html?q=phobos#MAP

Full video: http://rt.com/news/phobos-probe-space-mars-037/

"Russian scientists are struggling to get the country's first interplanetary mission in 15 years back on track. Should they fail, the probe that was due to head to the Martian moon Phobos may well turn into the "most toxic falling satellite ever."

Following a successful launch from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the subsequent separation of the Phobos-Grunt probe from its booster rocket on Wednesday morning, its own engine failed to generate two impulses which were necessary to direct the spacecraft onto a path to Mars. As a consequence, the probe became stuck in a low transitory orbit above Earth.

Before scientists from Russia's space agency Roscosmos could solve the problem and "reboot" the mission, they would have find out what exactly has caused the failure. Some say a problem with the probe's software is the likely culprit, while others speculate that the worst-case scenario -- a problem with the hardware -- is also possible.

Most issues with the software could potentially be fixed distantly. One of the theories that have been put forward suggests that a problem with the navigation system could have occurred. When launched, spacecraft initially use the sun as the main reference point for navigation, switching later to the stars. Therefore, it is thought the probe could have failed to position itself relative to the constellations.

Should that be the case, specialists say, they could try to upload a software package to the probe, and if everything goes fine, the entire mission could still be put back on track, with a minor delay of a few days.

If the problem turns out to be a hardware failure, the consequences could potentially be disastrous, and not for the space mission alone...
'Most toxic falling satellite'

The Phobos-Grunt probe is loaded with seven tons of highly toxic fuel, which was supposed to propel the spacecraft at various stages of this lengthy and complex mission. For this reason, the probe has already been dubbed as "the most toxic falling satellite ever."

Therefore, if Russian specialists fail to determine and fix the issue and the spacecraft eventually falls to Earth, they may have to come up with a contingency plan to deal with potential hazard to large areas. At the same time, experts say they still have plenty of time to develop an effective plan of action even in this worst-case scenario, to ensure that the falling craft and its toxic fuel pose no threat to people or the environment.

It is almost impossible to predict the exact area where the spacecraft could fall but scientists say it could be anywhere between 52 degrees North and 52 degrees South -- an enormous territory, yet this is exactly where our planet's most-densely populated areas are located."

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Space
• Russia
• SciTech
• Accident
• Peter Oliver

[usergently]

By luck this thing could crash on the white house.

[Sheilaaliens]

@usergently thats what everyone is rooting for

[grangersmith]

Oh brother, this drama is getting old, repetitive, stuff happens, you have as much of a chance, or even more to get in a deadly accident in your car or walking down the street. Death lurks behind every corner, and it's out to get you...What's all the fuss about? Know this, the truth is every breath you take could be your last one, get over it and live your life. This is life get use to it! ;D

[Sheilaaliens]

@grangersmith no fuss, just reporting cause i found it interesting :P nobody even saw where the last two satellites came down, if they ever really did to begin with. no point in worrying and likely nothing will come of this one either.

[MrMrEvin]

Nothing has happend today. Its almost 3pm friday 11th and nothing has happend. Im dissapointed

[Sheilaaliens]

@MrMrEvin thats what you get for living in the future. It's still 7:30 PM on 11/10/11 for me :)

[rgs11]

file this away in the good way to 'accidentally' attack a country... not that I think this is what's happening in this case... depending on where it lands and how much burns up in reentry...

[adonisSrabon]

@Sheilaaliens OMG ...it's going to fall on white house ...

[walleyrt69]

WAS IT AN ANAL PROBE ?

[Silverwolf352]

well folks, buckle your seat-belts..

[itachi9374]

hardware problem my ass

[greenhawk46]

oh yeahhhhh hhhh hhhhhh just when I thought ..............

[SamuelSavage777]

does toxic mean radio active? >.> nuke *cough*

[chaosxv1]

Why is it that everytime something is having problems in space, someone has to misquote the Bible. SHADDAP

[travisnmind]

I like the fact that all the major news media is calling it "Toxic Fuel". That toxic fuel is plutonium! Call it what it is.

I read in HT that it only takes 1 micro dot of Plutonium to kill you. There's about 4 micro dots in a hit of LSD and there is 7 tons of of it onboard this probe. That's nice!

One more thing, Why is it all of the US's space debris falls in the Pacific but Russia's going to hit a populated area? I'm being sarcastic.

[MegaTriumph1]

Its time the American's and all people of this world that we all are under attack buy the Satanic Group's that Haunt this World. Please People I hope and plead a true story, from the food you eat to water you drink to air you breath.(Denver Air Port tells the real Story of Now). Don't forget the Chemtrails it's all thier to destroy you. This so called probe was built to harm Humans. IMHO.