Missouri S&T Space Debris Expert Available to Discuss Tiangong-1 Space Station

Missouri S&T space debris expert available to discuss Tiangong-1 space station

Newswise — ROLLA, Mo. – Space debris expert Dr. William Schonberg, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, is available to discuss China’s Tiangong-1 space station’s imminent fall to Earth.

Schonberg has studied space debris or “space junk” for much of his academic career and was part of a U.S. National Research Council committee that issued a 2011 report on the dangers of space debris. More information on the report, titled “Limiting Future collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA’s Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Programs,” is available at https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13244/limiting-future-collision-risk-to-spacecraft-an-assessment-of-nasas.

Tiangong-1, known as “Celestial Palace,” has lost touch with its engineers in China and will drop into the atmosphere without being controlled. It is likely to fall sometime on Easter Sunday.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Schonberg, contact Andrew Careaga at [email protected] or 573-578-4420 or Sarah Potter at [email protected] or 573-341-4994.