Can Satellites Really be Made from Iron Salvaged from Old Warships?

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The discussion centers on the claim that satellites are made from iron salvaged from German warships scuttled at Scapa Flow, citing its uncontaminated nature due to pre-nuclear production. Participants express skepticism, noting that satellites are typically constructed from materials like aluminum and titanium rather than steel. They argue that modern iron is sourced from deep ore, likely unaffected by historical radiation fallout. Additionally, the high levels of ionizing radiation in space would overshadow any potential contamination from construction materials. Overall, the consensus leans toward the idea that the story is more myth than fact.
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Recently I heard on Eggheads that companies making satellites use iron from the German fleet scuppered at Scapa Flow in 1919 after WW1. The reason given for this was that the metal was made before the nuclear age and is thus uncontaminated with radiaoctive atoms.
I find this hard to believe for several reasons:

1) Surely satellites are made from aluminium, titanium, magnesium and the like - not steel.
2) Iron bought today has surely been made from ore dug from deep in the ground, unaffected by all the fallout from the 1940's, 50's and 60's?
3) The environment that satellites operate in is loaded with ionising radiation anyway - any from the construction material of the device would be swamped by all the cosmic rays and solar stuff.

Is this story a myth or is this really true?
 
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Andrew1947 said:
Recently I heard on Eggheads that companies making satellites use iron from the German fleet scuppered at Scapa Flow in 1919 after WW1. The reason given for this was that the metal was made before the nuclear age and is thus uncontaminated with radiaoctive atoms.
I find this hard to believe for several reasons:

1) Surely satellites are made from aluminium, titanium, magnesium and the like - not steel.
2) Iron bought today has surely been made from ore dug from deep in the ground, unaffected by all the fallout from the 1940's, 50's and 60's?
3) The environment that satellites operate in is loaded with ionising radiation anyway - any from the construction material of the device would be swamped by all the cosmic rays and solar stuff.

Is this story a myth or is this really true?

I wouldn't be suprised if the story about the iron being reused is true if it is economical to do so, but I'd be quite suprised if that was the reason. As you said, most iron ore wouldn't be particularly contaminated with radioactive sources, short of being directly in the path of the Chernobyl fallout.
 
Sounds like a myth- OTOH, pre WWII lead is extremely valuable for neutron scattering people. Most modern lead has been contaminated by radiation.
 

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