Lurking on GAW? See something & wanna say something but you were sent outside by the mod team because of that one time you were angry? IT'S BAN AMNESTY TIME AGAIN! If you want to come back, pls send us a modmail (link in sidebar) with the magic passphrase: "The Earth is round" and we'll restore you!
(media.greatawakening.win)
😮 GAW CRIME SCENE 😮
In the 1960s, the photo-reconnaissance system was based on CORONA satellites. Film return re-entry vehicles were ejected from the satellite, entered the atmosphere, ejected a parachute for slow descent through the troposphere, and were captured in mid-air by special C-130 aircraft. There was no waiting for orbital decay, or dropping into the ocean.
If the Earth was flat, the oceans would have drained off over the edge (among other things). You can't defeat Stupid. It's like kicking a slug.
Well, whatever. I was going off of memory from what Dad told me nearly 30 years ago. In any case, they had to retrieve the film as it dropped to the surface.
About the oceans drained, the way they think it works is that Antarctica forms the outside ring wall that holds it all in. If that is the world we live in, then it really is an incredibly stupid and boring reality.
Your memory was not bad, just shaky on the details. My remark about ocean draining was facetious and futile. As you say, they would retreat into a labyrinth of supportive fantasies. Notwithstanding anyone can actually get to the south pole and prove, by astronomical observation, that it must be the south pole. What strikes me is how dismally ignorant and dimwitted they are.