A network of land-, air-, sea- and spaced-based sensors confirms that the U.S. military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the earth's atmosphere.
At approximately 10:26 p.m. EST, a U.S. Navy AEGIS warship, the USS Lake Erie (CG-70), fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) hitting the satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS Russell (DDG-59) were also part of the task force.
The objective was to rupture the fuel tank to dissipate the approximately 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere. Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours.
Due to the relatively low altitude of the satellite at the time of the engagement, debris will begin to re-enter the earth's atmosphere immediately. Nearly all of the debris will burn up on reentry within 24-48 hours and the remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days.
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China Urges US To Provide Data On Satellite Shootdown
Beijing (XNA) Feb 22 – China on Thursday called on the United States to provide relevant data on its shooting down of a damaged U.S. spy satellite.
China is continuing to closely follow the possible harm caused by the U.S. action to outer space security and relevant countries, said the foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in response to a question on the U.S. shootdown of an out-of-control spy satellite.
"China requests that the U.S. fulfill its international obligations and promptly provide to the international community the necessary information so that relevant countries can take precautions." Liu said.
A missile launched from a U.S. Navy cruiser shot down a dying and potentially deadly U.S. spy satellite deployed in the North Pacific late Wednesday.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
