I thought thing didn't explode in space, and rather imploded due to the pressure. However, if the thing is closer to the atmosphere, then maybe. Any astronomers in the house who'd like to share their knowledge?
The hydrazine is part of a hypergolic rocket fuel system (one that uses two usually nasty chemicals that ignite on contact with each other). If they bust open that tank, and the oxidizer, they will definitely explode on contact.
That's assuming there is oxidizer on board, from the description it is possible the oxidizer was used up during the malfunction the satellite suffered at launch.
Yes, the hydrazine fuel is flammable in space. All space bound rocket fuels are highly oxygenated because of the lack of O2 in space. Without oxygen there can be no explosion.
Also, things do not necessarily implode in space. That term is relative to the pressure (or lack there of) that you're dealing with. An implosion simply means that there is lesser pressure inside the structure when it fails, than that which is around it. Therefore, the object caves and succumbs to the greater pressure outside of it.
I.E. If you were to take a tank and seal it at sea level and take it to the bottom of the ocean, the tank would likely implode because the pressure of the water is greater than that which is at sea level (and in the tank). If, however, you take that same tank and bring it up to 60,000ft or even into space, the tank would explode because of the greater pressure at sea level (and in the tank).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Julio @ Feb 20th 2008 8:18AM
can it explode in space?
Rob @ Feb 20th 2008 8:25AM
I thought thing didn't explode in space, and rather imploded due to the pressure. However, if the thing is closer to the atmosphere, then maybe. Any astronomers in the house who'd like to share their knowledge?
slug @ Feb 20th 2008 8:40AM
What pressure?
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 20th 2008 8:41AM
well forget a fireball.. there's no oxygen, forget an 'explosion' sound, there's no air..
but yeah it's a pressurized container, im sure it can explode.
Jon Acheson @ Feb 20th 2008 9:37AM
The hydrazine is part of a hypergolic rocket fuel system (one that uses two usually nasty chemicals that ignite on contact with each other). If they bust open that tank, and the oxidizer, they will definitely explode on contact.
That's assuming there is oxidizer on board, from the description it is possible the oxidizer was used up during the malfunction the satellite suffered at launch.
Gorodn @ Feb 20th 2008 9:50AM
Implode??? Pressure????
Mark @ Feb 21st 2008 12:41AM
Yes, the hydrazine fuel is flammable in space. All space bound rocket fuels are highly oxygenated because of the lack of O2 in space. Without oxygen there can be no explosion.
Also, things do not necessarily implode in space. That term is relative to the pressure (or lack there of) that you're dealing with. An implosion simply means that there is lesser pressure inside the structure when it fails, than that which is around it. Therefore, the object caves and succumbs to the greater pressure outside of it.
I.E. If you were to take a tank and seal it at sea level and take it to the bottom of the ocean, the tank would likely implode because the pressure of the water is greater than that which is at sea level (and in the tank). If, however, you take that same tank and bring it up to 60,000ft or even into space, the tank would explode because of the greater pressure at sea level (and in the tank).