Shooting Down Space Junk
It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie!
NASA is waiting for the space shuttle Atlantis to return to earth Wednesday, so they can then start shooting down some space junk that’s in a degrading orbit and getting ready to plummet to earth. They do have some concerns about shooting down the junk though. Some NASA experts fear the debris from the junk could hit the space station.
The whole scenario reminds me of an old Star Trek movie where the Klingons are flying around looking for space junk to use as target practice. The feared warriors of the Klingon Empire shooting at space junk. How degrading is that for a Klingon! There’s no honor there. In the movie, boredom turns to excitement when the Klingons see another ship drifting aimlessly in space, and it turns out to be the Enterprise, captained by non other than James T. Kirk! Wow! What a find for the Klingon warrior in charge of the photon torpedoes.
Maybe NASA should look for some Klingons to help them with the space junk. But then again, maybe NASA should have thought about this earlier. Years ago, during the days of Skylab falling to earth, I remember discussions about all the junk floating around in space and what might happen if it re-entered the atmosphere and didn’t totally burn up. The thought back then was the junk will either burn up, or fall into the ocean. Apparently someone has changed their mind about the satellite ready to come down because they’re talking of shooting it down.
Our friend Al Gore generates fear about global warming saying it’s a “planetary emergency.” Reality is, if Gore checked his history books, he would discover that 30 to 35 years ago the concern was about “global cooling.” In other words, everyone thought by this time we’d be covered in ice with no food. I guess that didn’t quite pan out, or should I say freeze out, like planned.
Talk about a “planetary emergency” Mr. Gore – lets look at all the space junk that’s going ’round and ’round the earth just waiting to fall to the ground. Now there’s something to be concerned about. Especially in light of the fact NASA is talking about shooting at the pieces of junk!
Hmmm…I have an idea, maybe I should apply for a job at NASA. I hear they’re looking for some photon torpedo specialists.
Quick Scotty, give me full warp speed and all remaining power to the photon torpedo banks!
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
