THE LEONID METEOROID SCARES

Fingers are crossed the world over as the space, satellite, telecom and broadcasting industries await the Leonid meteoroid showers that are expected to reach peak levels on Tuesday. While speculation is rife that services may be shut off no one knows what will really happen until the meteoroids hit the earth's atmosphere on Tuesday. Firms such as the Indian Space Research Organisation, Intelsat, Panamsat, Loral say they are taking precautions by shutting off crucial components on board the satellites, apart from tilting solar panels. Armies of engineers and technicians from these firms will be keeping a close watch on their satellites in order to reduce damage to the birds to the minimum. Some 500-600 active birds are currently stationed over the earth.