THE errant Chinese satellite is expected to land this morning with a splash rather than a bang.
Scientists have said the 800 kilo spy satellite, wandering erratically since scientists lost control of it in October 1993, is most likely to land in the sea today, probably in the Southern Hemisphere. This will undoubtedly reassure skywatchers in Co Wicklow, earlier thought to be a likely landing place.
"The latest estimate is 7.26 a.m. (GMT) tomorrow," a British Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said yesterday. "But that is strictly an estimate, plus or minus three hours." The MoD is officially monitoring the satellite in Britain, a previously predicted landing site.
According to RAE operators, the Jiangbing satellite is now most likely to come down in the south Atlantic or the Indian Ocean. However, with its course becoming more and more erratic as its orbit decayed, plotting its path was difficult.
Scientists at the European Space Centre said the remains were expected to re enter earth's atmosphere in time for breakfast today. Its movements are being tracked by the US Space Command, the European Space Agency and Britain's Defence Research Agency as it tumbles out of control.
They will not know the precise point of impact until 90 minutes before the satellite crashes. If the scientists get it wrong, then Wicklow could know all about it if the satellite lands there - assuming its on board parachute doesn't open. Jiangbing is about the size of a small van and will hit the ground at 450 mph. On landing, it would create a crater 60 feet across and feel like a minor earthquake to those living nearby.
The good news is that there is no need to worry about insurance. Householders' policies will cover a falling satellite just the same as it would if a 747 landed in a back garden.
The satellite failed 10 days after it was launched on October 8th 1993, as part of a Chinese military programme. Retro rockets designed to send it straight down to China instead spun it into an uncontrollable orbit.
