[meteorite-list] Colombia Gaze Nervously Skyward, Fearing Shower From Italian Satellite

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:13:11 2004
Message-ID: <200304280331.UAA25689_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/030426162406.ntkbos42.html

Colombia gaze nervously skyward, fearing shower from Italian satellite
AFP
April 26, 2003

BOGOTA - Colombia is on guard against debris that could rain down on it
from the Italian research satellite BeppoSAX, which is to enter the
Earth's equatorial zone next week, officials here said Saturday.

"Faced with the possibility that fragments from the satellite may
fall on southern Colombia, we will have to take some preventive
measures, like an eventual suspension of aerial operations," civil
aviation chief Juan Carlos Velez told reporters.

Velez also urged residents in Cali, Florencia, Mocoa, Neiva, Pasto,
Popayan, Villavicencio and Leticia not to touch any debris from the
satellite, noting that it could be toxic.

He said Italian experts would specify Monday where the debris --
expected to fall between April 29 and May 3 -- would land, noting that
there was a 1 in 14 chance it would fall on Colombia.

The 1,400-kilo (870-pound) satellite, which should break into about 40
pieces upon re-entering Earth's orbit -- could also drop in Brazil, Ecuador,
Peru, Venezuela, Cameroon or Singapore, Velez said.

BeppoSAX was launched in 1996.
Received on Sun 27 Apr 2003 11:31:27 PM PDT