Guest Andrea Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Looks like they aren't gonna take any chances. Wonder if we'll be able to watch??? WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the Pentagon is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite expected to hit the Earth in early March. The Associated Press has learned that the option preferred by the Bush administration will be to fire a missile from a U.S. Navy cruiser, and shoot down the satellite before it enters Earth's atmosphere. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the options will not be publicly discussed until a Pentagon briefing later Thursday. • Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Space Center. It is not known where on Earth the satellite will hit. But officials familiar with the situation said last week that about half of the 5,000-pound spacecraft is expected to survive its blazing descent through the atmosphere and will scatter debris — some of it potentially hazardous — over several hundred miles. The satellite is outfitted with thrusters, small engines used to position it in space, that contain the toxic rocket fuel hydrazine. Hydrazine can cause harm to anyone who contacts it. Related Stories Astronauts Spend Day Working on Space Lab U.S. Military Prepares to Handle Crashing Spy Satellite Dead Spy Satellite Could Hit Earth Within a Month, Officials Say The satellite, known by its military designation US 193, was launched in December 2006. It lost power and its central computer failed almost immediately afterward, leaving it uncontrollable. It carried a sophisticated and secret imaging sensor. U.S. officials do not want this equipment to fall into the wrong hands. "The Chinese and the Russians spend an enormous amount of time trying to steal American technology," said John Pike, a defense and intelligence expert. "To have our most sophisticated radar intelligence satellite — have big pieces of it fall into their hands — would not be our preferred outcome." Where it lands will be difficult to predict until the satellite descends to about 59 miles above the Earth and enters the atmosphere. It will then begin to burn up, with flares visible from the ground, said Ted Molczan, a Canadian satellite tracker. From that point on, he said, it will take about 30 minutes to fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Will have to try to follow this story, sounds pretty interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksbowhntr77 Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 I'd like to know what day they expect to shoot this thing down. Be interesting to see....... might have to wear my hard hat that day though...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 i wonder if they are going to shoot it down with our lazer missle protection system... star wars as it was dubbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Yeehaa! lol And if we can see it, I'll probably be stuck in a classroon or at clinical taking care of someone..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Watch em miss and hit the space station...oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 China shot one of their own down last year. We better be able to prove we can too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksbowhntr77 Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/18/satellite.intercept/index.html Here's the latest update I could find on the satellite. It's pretty interesting reading, and expensive too. Take a look and see how our tax money is being spent... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Heard on the news tonight that the Navy is going to take a shot Thursday. This "shot" is going to cost between 40 and 60 million dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Heard on the news tonight that the Navy is going to take a shot Thursday. This "shot" is going to cost between 40 and 60 million dollars. Dang, that is more than a round for my 270 costs! LOL!!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 China shot one of their own down last year. We better be able to prove we can too! LEO..now WHERE do you think China got that technology from..?? Thanks alot Mr Clinton!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 LEO..now WHERE do you think China got that technology from..?? Thanks alot Mr Clinton!! Exactly why it's really going to be embarrassing if we miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 doubt if we'll miss. i want my 60 million worth... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Looks like they got it Took the shot at around 10:30 wednesday night http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/20/satellite.shootdown/index.html#cnnSTCVideo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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