why dont you investigate it and report back after you find out.
 | Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years. Thanks, CNET Support |
General discussion
Is this part of Missile Defense?
ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - The U.S. Defence Department's plans to launch a rocket over the North Atlantic were postponed indefinitely Thursday amid concerns in Newfoundland that falling debris could hit offshore oil platforms.
Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams said he was stunned when he learned spent booster rockets from a Titan IV rocket, which was to be launched early Monday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., were expected to fall within 25 kilometres of the Hibernia platform.
Col. Stefano Boccino, of the U.S. Air Force Space Command at Cape Canaveral, said the launch was postponed because of mechanical problems with ground support equipment.
When asked if the missile's trajectory was an issue, he said: "Right now we don't have an answer to that. I believe that will be readdressed once a new launch date is confirmed."
"I don't think the Americans were aware, or had really thought it through, as to how close this was to the Hibernia platform," Williams said following two urgent phone conversations with McLellan and a call to Frank McKenna, Canada's ambassador to the United States.
"Why would they drop a piece of space debris out of the sky and take a chance that it happens to be 15 miles in the right spot? If it's off, it could obviously have very serious consequences."
Each rocket booster weighs more than 10,000 kilograms, he said.
There are 234 crew aboard the Hibernia platform, which is about 315 kilometres southeast of St. John's.
The oil rig was lucky that they had "mechanical problems" before the booster (possibly)landed on the rig.
Discussion is locked
1 - 30 of 73 Posts
- Collapse
- Collapse -
hitting something else, then it's probably not part of Star Wars. 
Most of the Star Wars shot in the dark excercises have been over the Pacific.
Dan
- Collapse -
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force said it pushed back the launch of the unmanned Titan IV from Monday because of problems getting equipment on site to fuel it, not due to Canadian pressure.
It has been tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday.
When (if) they launch on Wednesday we'll find out the real reason for the delay.
I read one article that stated it takes a week to shutdown and remove all personnel from the oil rig, so they should have started to evacuate last Wednesday.
I predict the rocket flight plan will come no where near the oil rig, and US Officials did not take the oil rig into consideration.
If you wouldn't be concerned about the possible loss of 234 lives then
- Collapse -
I am surprised that only now would Canada complain about it.
The launch path the story describes implies a launch into a polar orbit. The Department of Defense is the satellite owner. The Titan IV is the launch vehicle. My logical conclusion is that the satellite is part of the Defense Support Program (DSP) - an over 20-year old program of satellites (there are at least 8 in orbit at any given time as I understand) in polar or near polar orbits that provide advance warning of possible hostile ballistic missile launches aimed at North America (yes, including Canada).
Strictly speaking, this is not part of missile defense; DSP predates the Reagan SDI initiative. However, the DSP satellites would obviously be used in any missile defense plan to give initial warning and track data to a missile defense system.
I guarantee you that DSP launches have overflown those drill rigs before - and you might have noticed that the platforms are still there...
- Collapse -
Seems like they are worried about nothing. There's probably just as much chance that any other space debris that's already up there could hit the platform (or anyone else on Earth)at any time.
- Collapse -
Space debris is usually smaller than 10,000 kg, plus most space debris burns up while entering the atmosphere.
And they can't be "worrying about nothing" if NASA states they took the oil rig location into consideration.
- Collapse -
Space debris is usually smaller than 10,000 kg. That means not always. There's lots of stuff up there. A big rock could fall out of the sky. That's the kind of odds they are talking about.
It is worrying about nothing. That's what some people do.
- Collapse -
The booster rocket is not space debris.
It is going to return to earth (water) after it is empty of fuel it is released from the rocket.
NASA claims to be able to tell within 25 km (approx 15 miles) where this will land.
I would guess that the rocket would have travelled 2000 miles downrange and be at an altitude of 20 miles, and NASA can tell within less than 1% where the booster is going to land.
Yet they had to delay the launch as a result of a technical setback,
Did something go wrong?
So when they say we know what we're doing, don't worry
Do they mean "nothing can go wrong"
IF
We get the rocket off the ground?
It appears something went wrong on the ground.
- Collapse -
of your posts where you ask people to respond with
"more than a one-liner"
- Collapse -
example of american lack of concern for Human life outside the usA.If the launch went ahead and HUMAN life lost tough luck.Now if this launch were to past over the ice holding BABY seals, americans would be marching in the streets in protest.Dont you all just love americans.-
- Collapse -
we all know how good we help our friendly neighbors to the north
- Collapse -
Wrong!
Canadian Space Robotics on the International Space Station
Canadarm 2, a major part of the Canadian space robotics system, has completed its first official construction job on the International Space Station (ISS). American astronaut Susan Helms used the Canadian space robotics arm to lift the new station airlock from the Atlantis space shuttle and install it in the space station Unity module. The airlock, called Quest, will let astronauts make space walks from the International Space Station.
The International Space Station and Canada
The ISS is being jointly built by the United States, Canada, Russia, Japan and eleven European countries.
Its modules will support a permanent international crew of seven astronauts and their experiments. It will be a platform for observation of Earth and space, and its experiments are expected to lead to new materials and medicines which can be developed only in microgravity.
Canada's financial contribution to the ISS is $1.4 billion of the $60 billion total construction cost. That means Canada "owns" 2.3 percent of the space station and is allotted that amount of flight time for astronauts and for experiments on the station.
- Collapse -
Perhaps Danny Williams ought to consult with some of those scientists before hitting the panic button. Though, of course he is not really panicking; just playing politics.
- Collapse -
is the first to be in another country helping to save lives when other countries ignore it?
I have two words for you, pal.......
TONI
- Collapse -
back atya. And who causes the lost of lives in most countries.Wave your flag all you want you'll never admit the truth.
- Collapse -
statistics and links to back up your statement/assumption that the USA causes the loss of life in most countries....
And be ready for the backlash of links that prove we've actually saved more lives in other countries than any other country in the entire world.
Anybody can say anything they want.....prove it.
TONI
- Collapse -
a survey would be a waste of time.You would even find an excuse of the atom bombing of japan done on cities to kill the most women and children to bring an end to a war that was almost over to save MAYBE a few american troups.The most cowardly act in history.Then again 1 american life is worth a 1000 of any other.
- Collapse -
wrong! We discussed in a previous thread that one of our Military is worth 500,000 of theirs
- Collapse -
You proved me wrong ,I was talking about humans not your military.But your right your numbers are closer than mine.by the way this whine crap that is your stupid answer to anyone who says anything against the mighty usa you can stick it.
I dont whine or whimpy enough that I have to carry a gun because afraid of my shadow as your men do.
CNET Forums
Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Roadshow Autos
Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic