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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the claim that satellites are constructed using iron salvaged from the German fleet scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919, due to its lack of radioactive contamination from the nuclear age. Participants express skepticism, noting that modern satellites are primarily made from materials such as aluminum, titanium, and magnesium, rather than steel. Additionally, they argue that contemporary iron is sourced from deep ore, largely unaffected by historical fallout. The consensus leans towards the notion that the story is likely a myth, although the value of pre-WWII lead for specific scientific applications is acknowledged.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of satellite construction materials, specifically aluminum, titanium, and magnesium.
  • Knowledge of the historical context of metal sourcing, particularly post-WWI and WWII.
  • Familiarity with the effects of ionizing radiation on materials.
  • Basic awareness of the implications of radioactive contamination in industrial materials.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the materials used in modern satellite construction, focusing on aluminum and titanium alloys.
  • Investigate the historical significance of metal sourcing from shipwrecks and its economic implications.
  • Explore the effects of ionizing radiation on various materials used in aerospace applications.
  • Learn about the value and applications of pre-WWII lead in scientific research, particularly in neutron scattering.
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, materials scientists, historians of technology, and anyone interested in the intersection of historical materials and modern engineering practices.

Andrew1947
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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.