Would you believe these pictures? Space Junk...
By wickedangel
@wickedangel (1636)
Dominican Republic
April 23, 2008 9:07am CST
The Earth is orbited by an amazing array of space junk - jettisoned parts from all the space missions, satellites either not functioning any more or still working as well as parts from collisions that have occurred and are now orbitting around the Earth.
These fantastic pictures just show what a junk yard the Earth's orbit has become. I was really shocked. The situation is so bad now that any space craft wanting to orbit the Earth has to take into consideration all these floating 'mines'. Take a look
http://tech.uk.msn.com/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=8114216
We have littered the Planet both on land and sea, it seems that we have now done it to the outter space around the Earth. What do you think about this polution? Did you know it existed? What do you think we should do to clear it up? Do you think we should continue to send objects (including man) up into space? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
2 people like this
4 responses
@Myrrdin (3599)
• Canada
24 Apr 08
Those images are computer generated and not photographs of how things actually look. I doubt those items are to scale. That being said there is still an insane amount of space junk. Earth will soon have some pretty odd looking rings at the rate we are going.
2 people like this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
3 May 08
I agree the images don't look right but it is the thought of all that junk up there. We love to mess up our lovely planet, first the junk littered the land, then the sea and now space.
Thanks for responding!
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Some of the photos don't look right. However I already know there is jettison and space junk orbiting the planet (along with other junk people on the planet "need" - TV satellites anyone?). Maybe there could be a junk collection mission, but there is economic feasability issues with this. Non functioning debris is brought to a thing called the graveyard orbit.
There is also a general safety concern for other space missions as the debris is traveling at higher velocities. The space station has been armoured due to this concern and lower orbit missions also have to adjust for the existing debris orbit.
1 person likes this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
3 May 08
Yes, I know some of the photos don't look right - I have to agree but it is just the thought of all that space junk up there. We just love to litter all our environments, the sea, the land and now space. We are such a messy species. And yes, don't we love our new gadgets but people just don't want to think what it means when they have those extra satellite channels, internet connection, mobile phones etc.
Thanks for replying to this, I have given you best response. Happy posting!
@paid2write (5201)
•
23 Apr 08
I know there are old satellites still in orbit. I'm not sure exactly what those photos show. Don't cell phones work off satellites? What about satellite TV? I know other forms of communication use them. There must be hundreds of thousands of satellites in use around the world. Maybe these are what show up in the pictures, rather than defunct objects.
People want the convenience of new technology, but don't know how their use affects the environment, until a phone company wants to put up a mast near to where people live and then they immediately object and say it may not be safe (because they are worried how it will affect house prices).
1 person likes this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
3 May 08
Oh you are so right paid2write. Everyone wants the convenience of the modern world but don't want to admit the toll this is taking on the environment.
I know what you mean about telephone masts - I remember all the hulabaloo about it in the UK, once the papers got on to the story it was blown right out of proportion. Yes, there is some damage but not much, not when you think of living next to a major road and all the pollutants you are breathing in!
Mind you the masts are really an eyesore, so much better for the things to be up in space where we can't see them (NOT!)
Anyway, a few people have come back saying that these are false pictures. No matter if they are I bet they are not far out, we just love to litter our beautiful environment.
Thanks for replying!
@magrylouyu (1627)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Sorry to say but those pictures expessially that first one just looks down right fake! Correct me if I'm wrong but I thing someone did some photo editing. Just my opinion.
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
23 Apr 08
It could possibly be a fake but then again I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand either. There must be a lot of junk up there, who's to say how much.
Thanks for responding.
