U.S. Disabled Spy Satellite to Be Shot Down

After careful weighing of decisions, President Bush has given orders to the Pentagon to shoot down the disabled spy satellite before its re-entry into the earth's atmosphere scheduled to happen in the first week of March.

Such a decision was reached in order to prevent a possible deadly release of more than 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of hydrazine fuel as a toxic gas from the satellite's fuel tank. The 5,000-pound (2,270 kg) satellite, known as L21, will be shot down by the Navy with a modified tactical missile.

According to Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey, "This is all about trying to reduce the danger to human beings".

Officials have said that such an undertaking will be the very first effort of its kind by the U.S. due to the potential harm to people in an area where the satellite has been estimated to crash land.

According to Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, there will be a "window of opportunity" for the satellite to be brought down by Naval efforts in the next three or four days with continuous attempts to last for a week's time thereafter.

"This is the first time we've used a tactical missile to engage a spacecraft", said Cartwright.

It is impossible to predict where the satellite will land until it enters the atmosphere. The satellite also has militaristic-sensitive imaging sensors which the U.S. would not want falling into the wrong hands.

Despite the sensitive issue because of the controversy surrounding China's anti-satellite test last year, this has not detered the U.S. in accomplishing the satellite's destruction.



Video Credit: Associated Press