They have thrusters and do controlled re-entry, at a location of their choosing.
replyThe uppermost parts of the atmosphere are very dynamic, with changes in solar activity causing them to contract and expand on a scale of hours. And this is very significant for the amount of drag felt by re-entering objects. Because of this, if you slowly deorbit something naturally through drag, you are not going to be able to pick the destination, or even know where it ends up until very close to it falling down. So instead you intentionally lower the perigee so that it deorbits in a controlled manner.
Didn't know that, shouldn't have assumed. Wish I could fix my third sentence...
replyThanks for the correction!
Doesn't sound dangerous at all.
replyDropping stuff from space is inherently dangerous. Huge amounts of effort go into making it safe.
replySo you think these things will be delivered to new york ?
replyNot intentionally, of course, but they will be flying directly overhead a few times every day!
replyYou realize they know how to land these things right? Are you aware?
replyI trust government agencies who are doing these things for science and research to do it safely, private companies owned by conmen who are probably operating under presidential pardons, not really.
reply