Interesting study but it sounds like the satellite was captured in the early 1990s, exhibited in a museum for a decade or two, and only x-rayed in 2016. I’m not sure if the defects they found can be attributed to the space environment or wear and tear from sitting in a museum.
That's one capability that was lost with the space shuttle. There's nothing remaining nor planned that can bring something that size back from LEO.
I feel like materials science could learn a lot more about radiation embrittlement and high energy micro impacts.
The space shuttle is often regarded as a huge mistake and in many ways (reusability especially, it was more like rebuildability :) ) it was, but it was still hell of a machine.
This kind of reads like an investigation of some unknown object. Seems like the intent is to better understand how the thing was affected during use and on re-entry and improve future reusable craft.
Interesting study but it sounds like the satellite was captured in the early 1990s, exhibited in a museum for a decade or two, and only x-rayed in 2016. I’m not sure if the defects they found can be attributed to the space environment or wear and tear from sitting in a museum.
It didn't reenter and somehow fail to burn up. It was captured from orbit and brought back by the space shuttle.
Still a very interesting analysis.
That's one capability that was lost with the space shuttle. There's nothing remaining nor planned that can bring something that size back from LEO.
I feel like materials science could learn a lot more about radiation embrittlement and high energy micro impacts.
The space shuttle is often regarded as a huge mistake and in many ways (reusability especially, it was more like rebuildability :) ) it was, but it was still hell of a machine.
> That's one capability that was lost with the space shuttle. There's nothing remaining nor planned that can bring something that size back from LEO.
Surely the X-37 could be used to bring a satellite down, even if it's not an acknowledged capability?
This kind of reads like an investigation of some unknown object. Seems like the intent is to better understand how the thing was affected during use and on re-entry and improve future reusable craft.
also the title would do well to indicate that the satellite was returned and it did not return itself
Guys,
I watched all the alien movies.
We should not trust those things that come from outside planet Earth ...
Good reason to x-ray it!
I would highly recommend reading the materials about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Duration_Exposure_Facilit..., which is dedicated for material exposure research in the space.