Paper re entry not recycling?

[h0ughy]

So NASA have got it wrong all these years ?? according to this (http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/japan-plans-paper-jet-launch-in-space/2008/02/08/1202234153296.html) they have. Paper plane technology will be tested by the Japanese;)

[AJames]

Yeah!
Origami in Space!
I noticed here, the term paper aeroplane is space is a contradiction, as an airplane needs air to fly in. Hence, is that is why it is referred a a "paper plane". This is the same problem with the space shuttle - is it a spacecraft or an aircraft? :P
Question though... If these paper plane can travel at seven times the speed of sound, wouldn't that be dangerous if they hit the ground at that speed... I mean, it would do more than poke your eye out! :eyepop:

Andrew

[xelasnave]

There was no warning not to try this at home
alex

[Omaroo]

I don't know about this. Even a featherweight paper plane is travelling at 18,000 mph while it's in orbit. As it descended towards the atmospheric boundary layers it'd still be hitting them at that speed - and causing the friction associated with that act. Granted - it'd probably slow up pretty quickly with little or next to no mass before it made it down to denser gas - buy hey, it's still pretty hot! I guess we'll see!

[Ric]

That could be one for the MythBusters to investigate ;).
Personally I think at that speed it would probably go straight through you :scared:

Cheers