Out-of-control Chinese space station carrying toxic chemicals could crash into Earth next WEEK and New York and parts of Europe are among the ‘most likely’ targets
The Tiangong-1 spacecraft has been out of control since September 2016
Agencies around the world have been monitoring the doomed craft’s descent
Aerospace predicts Barcelona, Beijing, Rome or Toronto could also be hit
Experts from ESA say it will strike sometime between March 30 and April 6
Around 10 to 40 per cent of the satellite is expected to survive re-entry
By TIM COLLINS
DAILYMAIL.COM
20 March 2018
An out-of-control Chinese space station with ‘highly toxic’ chemicals on board could hit a number of major world cities, including New York, research suggests.
China’s first prototype station, Tiangong-1, will come crashing back to the planet between March 30 and April 6, experts say.
It has the highest chance of crashing into cities along a narrow strip around latitudes of 43 degrees north and south.
This includes a number of highly populated cities including New York, Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Istanbul, Rome and Toronto.
It is most likely to hit these places because it is travelling parallel to the equator at the most northern and southern points of its orbit.
From our perspective on Earth it appears to be travelling more slowly above these regions, thanks to its geometry relative to the Earth, although its speed actually remains constant.
Because it takes longer to cross the surface of the Earth at these latitudes it has a higher risk of coming down here.
The doomed 8.5-tonne craft, which has been hurtling towards Earth since control was lost in 2016, is believed to contain dangerous hydrazine.
Scientists will only know the precise date it will impact and exactly where debris will fall during the finals weeks of its decline.
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