If for some reason the International Space Station (ISS) were to suddenly depart from its orbit and start heading back down to Earth (on what would obviously be a lethal atmospheric reentry and crash,) what could be done about it?
Can the ISS fire rockets to adjust itself back into orbit?
Conversely, what if the ISS were to depart from Earth orbit and head out into space? Could it fire rockets to put itself back into Earth orbit?
Can the ISS fire rockets to adjust itself back into orbit?
Conversely, what if the ISS were to depart from Earth orbit and head out into space? Could it fire rockets to put itself back into Earth orbit?
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The ISS does have thrusters to adjust its attitude and prevent its orbit from decaying. It would not be able to depart earth orbit, however. That would require a about 4 kps of delta V, which is a lot of energy. Eventually they will have to de-orbit the ISS, probably over the pacific ocean if they can do it accurately enough.
Edit - that's right, it recieves occasional nudges from docking spacecraft. It does have attitude control thrusters, though.
Edit - that's right, it recieves occasional nudges from docking spacecraft. It does have attitude control thrusters, though.
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Yes, the ISS DOES have attidunal control rockets, but every now and then the ISS is given a boost by an unmanned payload with more rocket fuel and oxidizer to counteract the effects of atmospheric drag on the ISS. The height of the atmosphere varies over time mainly of mainly because of solar acitivity. The reason why things that have run out of of rocket fuel and oxidizer eventually fall out of orbit and scare scientifically illiterate and paranoid people is because of the effects of atmospheric drag on an object in Low Earth Orbit over time.
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Duck and Cover.
The ISS has limited manoeuvrability and can adjust its orbit.
It it were to fall out of orbit most of it would burn up on re entry and the rest of it would be scattered over a very large area.
The odd of being hit on the head by a bit of the ISS are very slim. You stand a better chance of winning the lottery twice.
The ISS has limited manoeuvrability and can adjust its orbit.
It it were to fall out of orbit most of it would burn up on re entry and the rest of it would be scattered over a very large area.
The odd of being hit on the head by a bit of the ISS are very slim. You stand a better chance of winning the lottery twice.
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It eventually will fall out of space. Everything in orbit usually does. The average life span of an orbiting satellite is 30 to 40 years.
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It's not going to just magically accelerate in any direction.
It is periodically reboosted to keep its orbit from decaying, though, by visiting resupply craft.
It is periodically reboosted to keep its orbit from decaying, though, by visiting resupply craft.
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The ISS has several thrusters onboard, which are used to maintain the proper altitude and avoid debris.
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Just as probable as your IQ being > 0.