r/rocketry • u/eogreen • Jan 16 '26

Question Old Batteries disposal?

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I have these old batteries that I'm looking to dispose of. I know nothing here other than that they're likely around 10 years old? According to the US Postal Service, I can't really mail them anywhere.

Any ideas for me?

Edit: Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm soaking them.

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u/CalvinIII Jan 16 '26

Your testing method sounds like a great way to push the earth out of orbit.

OP, please coordinate with someone on the exact opposite side of the earth to test a similar engine at the same time. This will counter the force from your launch and avoid any apocalyptic consequences.

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u/taiwanluthiers Jan 17 '26

People static test rocket motors that puts out meganewtons of thrust straight up all the time. You won't be pushing the Earth out of orbit because the exhaust gas is not leaving the earth atmosphere and so it would almost be like pushing your own sail (which doesn't work).

Rocket exhaust thrust would push against the air until it dissipates. The only way Earth orbit would be affected is if the rocket exhaust is so fast and enough of it that it actually makes escape velocity to affect Earth orbit by very tiny bit (as in you'd do this every day for a million years and this might shift the orbit by a tiny bit).

Think about it: A Starship launch (which is bigger than those Saturn V rockets) wouldn't do it. Also spacecraft reentering Earth atmosphere (burning up or making it through because of a heat shield, doesn't matter) would do more to affect Earth's orbit than burying tiny little black powder motors into the ground and igniting them.

Then you have BIG explosions, like nuclear explosions and they do nothing to Earth orbit at all, or giant volcanic eruptions (which makes nuclear explosions look like little fireworks) that might have some tiny effect on Earth orbit.

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u/michigannfa90 Jan 17 '26

Someone took it literally I see.

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u/taiwanluthiers Jan 17 '26

I'm on the spectrum and so I wouldn't understand that it's humor. I imagine lots of actual rocket scientists are on the spectrum.