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*UPDATE* Disabled US satellite to be shot down by tactical missile now

Posted Feb 20, 2008 at 07:43PM by Ceasar S. Listed in: News, Spacecraft Tags: Lockheed Martin, Canada, Pentagon, Pacific Ocean, CNN
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Disabled US satellite to be shot down by tactical missile - Image 1  


A recent report had noted that US officials have decided that shooting down NROL-21, a US reconnaissance satellite, would be the best measure to prevent the failing satellite's toxic fuel from leaking to the atmosphere. And they intend to use a modified tactical missile that will be able to travel beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

NROL-21 was previously reported to have lost power back in late January, and since then, it has been on a decaying orbit toward Earth. Estimations believe that the satellite is likely to re-enter the atmosphere soon. Though experts do agree that the satellite will burn up during re-entry, some believe that the fuel tank may survive re-entry and may rupture.

The satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is fueled by hydrazine, a chemical compound used to fire the satellite's maneuvering rockets. It's also toxic, scientists say, thus prompting US officials to do something about it.

Barring any controversies around and behind the need to shoot down the space debris, however, the US Navy may launch the missile in four to five days time, if not within an additional six days time to that as the window of opportunity permits. Sounds a bit rash, but then there's nothing like a game of Missile Command, eh? *Whoosh!* *Kablooey!*


*UPDATE*: We've heard word that the US Navy has set their crosshairs at NROL-21 and are watching their alarm clocks intently. Over CNN, reports have come in that in at 10:30 p.m. ET today (that's February 20, 2008 folks) they're going to hurl a warhead into the upper atmosphere and disintegrate that blipping bogey.

And some reports over the Internet says that the resulting explosion will be visible to those observing at high altitudes in the Northwestern parts of the the United States and Canada. And it probably should be, as the satellite will be struck at an altitude much lower than the Chinese satellite's impact altitude. This was to ensure that all of the debris will remain in Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean.

What are you waiting for? Go out now and spot a little brief flash. They probably launched the missile now, if it wasn't delayed yet.

[Via CNN] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

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3 Comments


Sort by:
   by tacopalypse - 2008-02-15
 » lol
mini-armageddon

   by Advertising -
   by Sembazuru - 2008-02-17
 » Great...
"Barring any controversies around and behind the need to shoot down the space debris"

So anyone worried about the thousands or millions of bits of space debris that will be put back into random orbits by a missile and the satellite both exploding?


   Re: Orlyeh - 2008-02-20
 » Decaying orbit
the satellite is already in a decaying orbit, odds are that any "small bits" will follow suit and burn up in the atmosphere as the warhead is a kinetic kill device mean to break the satellite into smaller chunks, not 'splode it


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