Saw this on the news yesterday.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/25073
""As we reported earlier, rather than take the chance a large piece of falling spy satellite will hit something or spread toxic fuel, the Pentagon is planning to shoot it down. It will be a first of its kind procedure.
Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a briefing this afternoon that the window of opportunity for such a shootdown will open in the next three or four days and last for seven or eight days. He did not say whether the Pentagon has decided on an exact launch date.
A Navy missile known as Standard Missile 3, built by Raytheon, will be used in an attempt to intercept the satellite just prior to it re-entering Earth's atmosphere. It would be "next to impossible" to hit the satellite after that because of atmospheric disturbances, Cartwright said.
Software associated with the Standard Missile 3 has been modified to enhance the chances of the missile's sensors recognizing that the satellite is its target; he noted that the missile's designed mission is to shoot down ballistic missiles, not satellites.
Here is the official Department of Defense statement on the planned attack:
An uncontrollable U.S. experimental satellite which was launched in December 2006 is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere between the end of February and early March. Because the satellite was never operational, analysis indicate that approximately 2,500 pounds of satellite mass will survive reentry, including 1,000 pounds of propellant fuel (hydrazine), a hazardous material. ...............""
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/25073
""As we reported earlier, rather than take the chance a large piece of falling spy satellite will hit something or spread toxic fuel, the Pentagon is planning to shoot it down. It will be a first of its kind procedure.
Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a briefing this afternoon that the window of opportunity for such a shootdown will open in the next three or four days and last for seven or eight days. He did not say whether the Pentagon has decided on an exact launch date.
A Navy missile known as Standard Missile 3, built by Raytheon, will be used in an attempt to intercept the satellite just prior to it re-entering Earth's atmosphere. It would be "next to impossible" to hit the satellite after that because of atmospheric disturbances, Cartwright said.
Software associated with the Standard Missile 3 has been modified to enhance the chances of the missile's sensors recognizing that the satellite is its target; he noted that the missile's designed mission is to shoot down ballistic missiles, not satellites.
Here is the official Department of Defense statement on the planned attack:
An uncontrollable U.S. experimental satellite which was launched in December 2006 is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere between the end of February and early March. Because the satellite was never operational, analysis indicate that approximately 2,500 pounds of satellite mass will survive reentry, including 1,000 pounds of propellant fuel (hydrazine), a hazardous material. ...............""
right there!
