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Mysterious metal ball from space falls in Namibia (Original Post) Matariki Dec 2011 OP
Looks like an Imperial probe from Star Wars n/t RZM Dec 2011 #1
It's a Space Ball! Matariki Dec 2011 #3
it's got nipples MisterP Dec 2011 #2
I wonder... nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #4
Sputnik I deorbited in Jan. 1958 RexDart Dec 2011 #9
I just had to wonder nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #10
Probably just one of Kim Jong Il's golf balls XemaSab Dec 2011 #5
LOL Broderick Dec 2011 #22
So why are we certain aliens ain't got all smart in the brain cavity Rex Dec 2011 #6
The gods must be crazy. lpbk2713 Dec 2011 #7
Large roller ball bearing.... Historic NY Dec 2011 #8
Not with that scorching. RexDart Dec 2011 #11
probably space trash newspeak Dec 2011 #19
Oh, I was WONDERING where that went... napoleon_in_rags Dec 2011 #12
3.6 ft in diameter / 13pounds / hollow Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #13
that's a big ball Enrique Dec 2011 #20
Consensus seems to be that it's a helium tank Warpy Dec 2011 #14
If it is alien would they tell us? Tabasco_Dave Dec 2011 #15
MFM's dream - a double-sided metal boob from space! HopeHoops Dec 2011 #16
So where DID it come from? sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #17
The first commenter at MSNBC got it, I believe IDemo Dec 2011 #18
You're all wrong! It's Happy Fun Ball! hatrack Dec 2011 #21
Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace! dawg Dec 2011 #23

RexDart

(188 posts)
9. Sputnik I deorbited in Jan. 1958
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 02:42 AM
Dec 2011

Oldest thing up right now is Vanguard I (US, 1958). Current estimate is that it will come down 200-250 years from now.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
6. So why are we certain aliens ain't got all smart in the brain cavity
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 02:17 AM
Dec 2011

and started making stuff out of materials we use? I tellin yu those aliens are smarter then we give them credit for in the movies!

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
8. Large roller ball bearing....
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 02:34 AM
Dec 2011

perhaps from a cargo or military aircraft. Perhaps used to roll cargo in on floor.

RexDart

(188 posts)
11. Not with that scorching.
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 02:57 AM
Dec 2011

That's either a fuel or liquid gas tank. ROSAT came down late Oct., but landed much further east, so I'm guessing it's not from that. Somebody is missing a satellite or a rocket booster.

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
14. Consensus seems to be that it's a helium tank
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 03:33 AM
Dec 2011

used to pressurize fuel entering the combustion chamber of a rocket.

Helium doesn't liquefy until it's nearly absolute zero so they have to use it as a pressurized gas.

IDemo

(16,926 posts)
18. The first commenter at MSNBC got it, I believe
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 09:52 AM
Dec 2011

It's a Soyuz 7 series helium tank.
fernlea.tripod.com/tank.html



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