http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14207
http://www.newscientist.com/commenting/browse;jsessionid=CC99E2A71AC3E381039202FB1324C5EF?id=dn14207
Sat Jun 28 20:09:23 BST 2008 by John Hall
Email from John Hall Dated the 28th June 2008.
To Rachel Courtland in response to the article headed ‘Weak Solar Cycle May Keep More Space Junk In Orbit’ as published in the ‘New Scientist Space’.
My Comment
Dear Rachel
When I read articles such as yours concerning the hazard of low orbit space debris, there are some points that never fail to both annoy and amaze me.
Yes! I agree space debris does pose a threat to functioning satellites in orbit, and yes it could cause collisions resulting in the increase of more space junk, but the thing that annoys me is the commonly used quote made by many scientists when referring to its entry through the Earths atmosphere, I refer to the term ‘burns up’ which they always use on a regular basis and Parrot fashion. I am amazed how they also show a total lack of concern with regards to the daily damage and destruction caused to our planet, when space debris survives friction with the atmosphere and impacts our planet at random.
Most scientists, who are worth anything at all, know full well that a lot of space debris does not ‘burn up’ during its passage through the atmosphere and it is able to survive and ‘impact’ for many reasons. These so-called scientists are fully aware their claim that it burns up is an absolute misconception/lie and is long out of date, yet they continue to use it when they are questioned, acting as though they really believe it.
They also gloss over the fact that most conflicts such as in Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel/Gaza are being fuelled daily by these high velocity impacts. Not only that, but many fires we have seen daily caused to both properties and persons have also been a direct result of these same space debris impacts and they are only a few examples where space debris impacts have seriously affected our lives and the environment. To reveal the truth to the public would open the biggest can of worms ever, but could also help to prevent a lot of future fatalities and many further miscarriages in our legal system.
I will just emphasise that I don't just blame scientists only for this outrageous scandal, but I blame many others such as the authorities in control of world affairs. The media like yourself must also shoulder much of the blame, because you are the ones who have for many years shown irresponsibility towards your customers and for many years have enabled these daily untruths to be fed into the public brains.
Yours truly,
John Hall
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