If they can't fix the Space Station and have to abandon it, will it fall down on Earth, or be lost in space?

Question

They're saying that, because of the computer glitches, they can't adjust the Station's position. But, if so, then the Station will either fall down on Earth, or just drift out in space, right?

They're talking about evacuating the crew, but not about what's going to happen with the Station. But, obviously, something will happen to the Station - that is why they are talking about evacuating the crew.

I realize this is not imminent, and may be avoided; but I am just intrigued about why they're not saying anything about what will actually happen with the Station.

Answer 1

There are two things the computers do for the space station - 1. They keep the station oriented, and 2. They control the boost of the station when it's orbit decays.

1. The station must be kept steady & pointed in a certain way to allow the solar arrays absorb energy from the sun, and it's especially important for docking spacecraft - you want a nice, stable platform to dock with.

2. Over time, the orbit of the ISS decays a bit - atmospheric friction, although slight at that altitude, slows the station, and it's orbit drops because of it. Every so often, they 'boost' the station by a few miles to keep it at altitude.

The attitude computers on board control both of these functions; if they can't be fixed, then, eventually, the station will enter the atmosphere & burn up... same as Skylab and Mir.

Answer 2

It will fall back to earth. The only way for it or any other satelite to float out into space is if there was a strong enough force applied to it to accelerate it beyond escape velocity.

That takes an engine.

Answer 3

it will probably stay in orbit for a very long time but it will eventually crash, even at that height there is still a minimal amount of atmosphere that will cause the orbit to degrade

Answer 4

They gonna fix it!

Answer 5

Read here ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle