AP: U.S. to shoot down errant satellite

[Corona Gigante]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite expected to hit the Earth in early March, The Associated Press has learned.

U.S. officials said Thursday 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 later Pentagon briefing.

The disabled satellite is expected to hit the Earth the first week of March. Officials said the Navy would likely shoot it down before then, using a special missile modified for the task. Other details about the missile and the targeting were not immediately available.

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[DoctaJ]

Seems they don't want to risk the chance of some recent tech getting in the hands of some other countries of they are doing this.

[IHT]

i'd rather have many pieces burn up on decent (or if they don't burn, kinda scatter all over), than one large VW mini-bus sized piece of metal landing in a schoolyard (or any other place).

[taltos]

Just hope that it works and we protect our technology.

[Savvy]

Originally Posted by IHT

i'd rather have many pieces burn up on decent (or if they don't burn, kinda scatter all over), than one large VW mini-bus sized piece of metal landing in a schoolyard (or any other place).

on this, I think this is more of the idea is that most of the small pieces will burn up, and it'll reduce the risk of having a large satellite come crashing down on a house or something like that. Tiny pieces = less chance of major damage. I don't think it is so much about protecting technology, although this plan should take care of that as well

[sspolv]

Frankly...I think this is cool as hell. I hope we'll be able to see the explosion. Maybe we can convince them to do it at night!


If I could find the popcorn smiley, I'd put it here!

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by DoctaJ

Seems they don't want to risk the chance of some recent tech getting in the hands of some other countries of they are doing this.

Also a good way of testing other new technology (i.e. ASAT).

[boonedoggle]

I wonder if they will use an atom bomb.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by boonedoggle

I wonder if they will use an atom bomb.

I may be wrong, but I've heard that ASAT technology can use a guided "bullet" (for lack of a better description). Rather than destroying it with an explosion, it's about walloping it at high velocity.

[mikey202]

Originally Posted by sspolv

Frankly...I think this is cool as hell. I hope we'll be able to see the explosion. Maybe we can convince them to do it at night!

That would be cool!!!

[boonedoggle]

I hope someone video tapes it.

[Corona Gigante]

Originally Posted by boonedoggle

I hope someone video tapes it.

"video tapes it?" Good lord, man, what do you think this is?--the 1980s?

[adsantos13]

Originally Posted by Corona Gigante

"video tapes it?" Good lord, man, what do you think this is?--the 1980s?

Im going to go record a mix tape in honor of the spy satellite getting blown out of the sky.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by adsantos13

Im going to go record a mix tape in honor of the spy satellite getting blown out of the sky.

Hmmm...there's the genesis of another thread!!!

"What kind of music goes with shooting down a satellite?"

Lessee...my contributions:

"Shot In The Dark", Ozzy Osbourne
"Shot Down in a Blaze of Glory", Bon Jovi (?)
"Telstar", Tornadoes
"Under The Milky Way", Church (doesn't fit too well but I love the song!)

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by Corona Gigante

"video tapes it?" Good lord, man, what do you think this is?--the 1980s?

I was gonna stand out there with my 16mm Bell & Howell.