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Author Topic: "Space ball" drops on Namibia  (Read 5095 times)

MechAg94

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"Space ball" drops on Namibia
« on: December 22, 2011, 03:39:03 PM »
http://news.yahoo.com/space-ball-drops-namibia-133326985.html


Quote
With a diameter of 35 centimetres (14 inches), the ball has a rough surface and appears to consist of "two halves welded together".

It was made of a "metal alloy known to man" and weighed six kilogrammes (13 pounds), said Ludik.

It was found 18 metres from its landing spot, a hole 33 centimetres deep and 3.8 meters wide.

Several such balls have dropped in southern Africa, Australia and Latin America in the past twenty years, authorities found in an Internet search.
Wow, a metal alloy known to man.  I wonder if we can duplicate it and......oh...ah....nevermind.  

So anyone know what welded hollow metal balls are used for in space?  Isn't this how that 90's version of the Blob started?

Maybe someone is taking Pumpkin Chunkin' to a whole new level.  Space Trebuchet.
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Declaration Day

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2011, 03:47:30 PM »
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Lee

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2011, 03:49:55 PM »
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AJ Dual

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2011, 03:50:05 PM »
Fuel tanks or pressurization tanks for fuel tanks.

Because of their tough construction, low mass, and spherical shape, they generally are the most common space-debris from boosters or satellites to survive to the ground.
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MechAg94

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2011, 04:12:46 PM »
Quote from: Lee on December 22, 2011, 03:49:55 PM
A first hand account
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA4aV-tTLpQ
Can you translate?  I didn't understand that.   :laugh:
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2011, 04:30:33 PM »
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41magsnub

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2011, 04:31:40 PM »
Wanted for questioning:

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MillCreek

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2011, 05:33:31 PM »
I was wondering if it was a tank for liquids/gases, but the picture does not show any fittings or connections.
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AJ Dual

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2011, 05:56:03 PM »
Quote from: MillCreek on December 22, 2011, 05:33:31 PM
I was wondering if it was a tank for liquids/gases, but the picture does not show any fittings or connections.

The nubs on the ends are where they used to be.

birdman can probably elaborate, but I think that to preserve the integrity of the tank, and to provide as few points and seams as possible for failure, or structural inconsistencies, they don't weld hardpoints onto these tanks when possible, instead a completely separate compression strap holds them down.

Either that, or all other pieces got melted off, and the smooth spherical parts that provided the least resistance remained.

It probably was tumbling at a high rate, so there may be some centrifugal forces involved in shaping the end result too.
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Tallpine

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2011, 06:29:45 PM »
Crack it open - maybe there's a really strong little kid inside  =|
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grampster

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2011, 07:06:02 PM »
That just might be the cannonball that went awry on Mythbusters. :P =D
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sumpnz

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2011, 08:13:27 PM »
Probably a tank for the hydrazine they use to maneuver the satellite.

That or anti-radar Raspberry Jam.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2011, 08:27:01 PM »
Quote from: MechAg94 on December 22, 2011, 04:12:46 PM
Can you translate?  I didn't understand that.   :laugh:

"Click. Clack. Clickity-clack."
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RocketMan

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2011, 08:52:28 PM »
When do the tripods come out?  What caliber for Martians?
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Perd Hapley

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2011, 09:40:47 PM »
Quote from: MechAg94 on December 22, 2011, 04:12:46 PM
Can you translate?  I didn't understand that.   :laugh:

Something about a Coke bottle.
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Lee

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2011, 09:57:10 PM »
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Can you translate?  I didn't understand that.

He said, "the sphere landed over there, then it opened up and little green dude jumped out and gave me the finger, said Click you, then he ran under the bush and climbed out."
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birdman

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2011, 11:04:59 PM »
Quote from: AJ Dual on December 22, 2011, 05:56:03 PM
The nubs on the ends are where they used to be.

birdman can probably elaborate, but I think that to preserve the integrity of the tank, and to provide as few points and seams as possible for failure, or structural inconsistencies, they don't weld hardpoints onto these tanks when possible, instead a completely separate compression strap holds them down.

Either that, or all other pieces got melted off, and the smooth spherical parts that provided the least resistance remained.

It probably was tumbling at a high rate, so there may be some centrifugal forces involved in shaping the end result too.

Elaboration, partially right, they use end fittings as the tanks are typically spin-formed to achieve thin walls, then friction stir or lower tech welded from halves.

Also, the end-mounts allow for efficient distribution of stresses to the membrane surface as the end bosses have to be thicker anyway to accommodate the forming method and the fittings
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Perd Hapley

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #17 on: December 22, 2011, 11:07:13 PM »
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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #18 on: December 23, 2011, 10:23:25 AM »
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MillCreek

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2011, 01:12:12 PM »
An article on NPR provides this link: http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19650278000

and this one: http://fernlea.tripod.com/tank.html

The picture from Namibia sure looks a lot like the second link, showing a helium tank from a Russian satellite.
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brimic

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2011, 02:22:55 PM »
Quote
When do the tripods come out?  What caliber for Martians?

Judging by the size of it, a .22 should suffice.
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birdman

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Re: "Space ball" drops on Namibia
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2011, 04:02:51 PM »
Quote from: brimic on December 23, 2011, 02:22:55 PM
Judging by the size of it, a .22 should suffice.

That much?  I was thinking a decently soled shoe.
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