China’s first space station could be in freefall and hurtling back towards earth
Fears China has lost control of Tiangong-1 but is refusing to admit a problem
CHINA'S first space station could be in freefall and about to come crashing back down to Earth, it has been warned.
The Tiangong-1 satellite has been orbited Earth since 2011, used in docking exercises and is still used in investigative and scientific work, but concerns have been raised that China has lost control of the station, which means it could come crashing back through Earth's atmosphere.
But amateur astronomers have been watching the satellite with concerns the space station has gone into freefall.
The Independent reported the huge size of the satellite, which is currently in "operation management phase", could mean that parts will collide with Earth in a hot molten mess after passing through the atmosphere.
The potential for large-scale disaster is unlikely with the space station likely to meet the same fate as formerly lost satellites - burning up on its way back to Earth before crashing down as smaller molten metal pieces rather than a large destructive piece.
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It is also likely more likely to land in the ocean or another unpopulated area than a major city.
But amateur astronomer Thomas Dorman told Space.com that he had been watching the satellite and its movements and was concerned that China had lost control.
He said: “If I am right, China will wait until the last minute to let the world know it has a problem with their space station.
"It could be a real bad day if pieces of this came down in a populated area, but odds are it will land in the ocean or in an unpopulated area."
The satellite was used for two years, most particularly in helping to build other stations, with China having sent the station into orbit to challenge the International Space Station.
Tiangoing-1, which means "Heavenly Place", was involved in several ground-breaking missions including a mission which saw astronauts enter the unmanned satellite.
