Quote Originally Posted by photophorous
I remember when the Chinese blew up that satellite and the controversy it caused, but I didn't realize it accounted for 25% of all the low orbit space debris. That's a lot! Space debris is one of the big concerns about "weaponizing" space. We could end up with a giant mess up there, interfering with communication satellites and such. It's not exactly something you can clean up with your average hoover...although "vacuum cleaner" is a rather appropriate name for such a device. But, I digress.

Everyone knows that was all part of an elaborate scheme by the Chinese to put on the worlds greatest fireworks show. All of that "debris" was supposed to reenter the earths atmosphere during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Unfortunately, it was manufactured to such loose tolerances that it didn't work and had to be added digitally. Now it's destined to turn the Hubble into the worlds most expensive kaleidoscope. On a positive note, if the ISS astronauts can get their hands on any of that debris, it's undoubtedly high lead content would make excellent solder for repairing damaged solar panels. Zing!

Paul
You got me there!

And that is an excellent idea about the lead! That is, if they had any lead left over after putting it in our food, on our kids toys, on all the bright shiny plastic items they import to us - you get the idea.

We will definitely have to keep a sharper eye on those guys...