Why Chinese Space Debris Shouldn't Worry You
At some point in April, possibly on the first day of the month, a Chinese space station, currently spinning out of control, will crash down to Earth and impact the planet at an undetermined location.
The Tiangong-1 space laboratory was launched in 2011, but five years later Chinese authorities admitted its systems were failing. Predictions suggest the plummeting space station could re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere around April 1, give or take 36 hours. The European Space Agency has predicted the station will crash between March 30 and April 2.
Scientists believe the space station could crash into the Earth’s atmosphere in a series of fireballs that could be visible in broad daylight. However, it’s not known where the space station will fall. Research group Aerospace Corporation has identified northern China, the Middle East, central Italy, northern Spain, northern states in the U.S., New Zealand, parts of South America, and Southern Africa as regions with a higher chance of seeing the space station collision. That clearly doesn’t narrow it down much, and only highlights the difficulty in predicting where it will land.
However, there seems to be little cause for concern for anyone living in those areas, or anywhere else. The Tangong-1, which translates as Heavenly Palace-1 in English, weighs 19,000 pounds and is around the size of a school bus, but will break apart when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. The debris will be scattered along a path predicted by Aerospace Corporation to be 1,240 miles long, and 43 miles wide. Given the vastness of the planet, it means there’s quite a small chance someone will get hit by debris, and researchers believe you’re 1 million times more likely to win the Powerball jackpot in the U.S. than get smashed in the head by the plummeting space station.
Having a space station fall from the Earth’s orbit is a scary prospect, but for most of us the biggest impact on our lives could be a light show in the sky, and an appreciation for the rigors of re-entry to our atmosphere.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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