Quote: bigfella @ November 5 2009, 1:24 PM GMTUnless you happen to be in that bit of space that has some junk of course.
Shuttles have been hit by tiny pieces of debris hundreds of times over the last few decades. Here's what a tiny paint chip does to a windshield at 17,000 MPH:
Indeed. All comes down to the equation: kinetic energy = mass x velocity squared. (If I remember basic physics properly... 
)
Quote: DaButt @ November 5 2009, 2:16 PM GMTShuttles have been hit by tiny pieces of debris hundreds of times over the last few decades. Here's what a tiny paint chip does to a windshield at 17,000 MPH:
What's the point of those shuttles?
Don't forget the micro-meteorites DaButt, the little bits of space dust and rock that have been floating in our orbit for millions of years, the little bastards can do all sorts of damage to our lovely satellites.
Quote: chipolata @ November 5 2009, 2:20 PM GMTWhat's the point of those shuttles?
To encourage people to take public transport and not block the space lanes with their liquid oxygen guzzling single occupancy space cars.
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 5 2009, 2:18 PM GMTIndeed. All comes down to the equation: kinetic energy = mass x velocity squared. (If I remember basic physics properly...
I think it's 1/2 that, but it's been almost 20 years since my last physics class.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ November 5 2009, 2:22 PM GMTDon't forget the micro-meteorites
Those are included in my figures. Riding a motorcycle sans-helmet through a swarm of dragonflies is nothing compared to space walking through a micrometeorite storm. 
Quote: DaButt @ November 5 2009, 2:27 PM GMTI think it's 1/2 that, but it's been almost 20 years since my last physics class.
Yep, you're right, forgot the 1/2.
What do you get if you take the 'ace' out of Space Junk?
That's right, 'SpJunk'.
When was your next stand-up gig again, David?
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 5 2009, 2:57 PM GMTWhen was your next stand-up gig again, David?
Wait, let me do that bit again...
SPJUNK!!!!!!
Quote: David Bussell @ November 5 2009, 3:09 PM GMTWait, let me do that bit again...
SPJUNK!!!!!!
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 5 2009, 3:12 PM GMT
As ever, it's just a case of repeating the joke louder.
I keep thinking the title of this thread is Space Spunk. And in a way, it should be.
Quote: Lee Henman @ November 5 2009, 3:00 AM GMTAnyway. A little closer to home, my question is this. What are you doing to save the planet?
I smoke only unfiltered rollies. That way the dog ends biodegrade more quickly when I chuck them over the fence into the neighbour's garden.
I save on water for toilet flushing by urinating through a hole in the fence into my neighbour's garden. The grass is indeed greener...