Probably the coolest and oddest NOTAM yet?

With the world turning their eyes skyward tonight to look for space debris, the FAA has issued a NOTAM that I don't think I ever even considered a possibility before. I did write an article on it here. However, this is just too cool, odd and well kinda scary to pass up writing about it again. 

NASA's UARS satellite is expected to come crashing back to Earth tonight, mostly burning up in the atmosphere; however, a few large chunks of the half-ton satellite are expected to make it all the way to sea-level. Granted, with the majority of Earth being water, the sea is most likely where UARS will end up, it's still a very news worthy event. There are thousands of pieces of space junk out there and some of these are constantly re-entering our atmosphere. Almost all burn to oblivion as they streak through the atmosphere. 

The UARS isn't expected to burn up completely, and is posing a danger to people, places and the FAA worries, airplanes. As astronomically remote a possibility, it's still a possibility. I'm almost 99.9% certain anyone flying tonight is safe (the night hours have very low air traffic). The primary purpose of the NOTAM I believe is to assist the FAA, NASA and the US Department of Defense in identifying where the UARS comes to rest and to try and pinpoint the location of any recoverable debris. So, if you haven't yet, here's the latest FAA NOTAM as of 8:30 PM CST. 

 !FDC 1/2720 FDC .. SPECIAL NOTICE .. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL 1109252359 UTC. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED THAT A POTENTIAL HAZARD MAY OCCUR DUE TO REENTRY OF SATELLITE UARS INTO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. FAA IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND NASA TO ENSURE THE MOST CURRENT RE-ENTRY INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO OPERATORS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. FURTHER NOTAMS WILL BE ISSUED IF SPECIFIC INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE INDICATING A UNITED STATES AIRSPACE IMPACT. IN THE INTEREST OF FLIGHT SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL PILOTS/FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS REPORT ANY OBSERVED FALLING SPACE DEBRIS TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY AND INCLUDE POSITION, ALTITUDE, TIME, AND DIRECTION OF DEBRIS OBSERVED. THE DOMESTIC EVENTS NETWORK /DEN/ TELEPHONE 202-493-5107, IS THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.

So, if you piloting an airplane tonight and see flaming space debris streaking by, please put your camera down and kindly notify the ATC controller your on frequency with as directed, or if you work at an airport, etc, you can call the FAA Coordination facility at the number provided. Oh... and post those pics and vids of the space debris as seen from your plane as soon as possible for us! 

Continue reading on Examiner.com FAA issues NOTAM for UARS space debris - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/faa-issues-notam-for-uars-space-debris#ixzz1YpYA7GBL

Comments

[Erika Wiggins]

I got a good giggle out of this NOTAM as well! Nice blog, and thank you for linking to mine, (ApopkaHangar). As soon as I set up a link page I'll include you there!

BTW, I also write for Examiner.com :-)

Fly safe!

Erika

[Andrew]

Thanks for the comment, and for following! I've actually landed a few times at that 'little' airport in Apopka during my training time at Delta Connection Academy. I even lived just a little down the road in Apopka, off near Lester and Vick. Maybe I'll work my way down there again for a flight.