On an auspicious day, the U.S. space program scored two knockouts on crucial missions. In one, the Atlantis space shuttle returned home after a five million mile flight that delivered a vital component to the International Space Station. Later the same day, the nation's military scored a direct hit to a damaged satellite that potentially threatened human life under a worst-case scenario.
NASA administrators called this morning's Florida landing of the STS-122 flight of Atlantis "an unbelievably super mission for us."
Later, as a lunar eclipse dimmed the early evening sky near Hawaii, a frontline Navy destroyer trained its state-of-the-art anti-satellite missile system at a glowing speck circling the planet. The speck, of course, was the well-publicized spy satellite falling out of orbit, known as USA 193.
At 5:26 pm local Hawaiian time, a weapons officer aboard the USS Lake Erie fired a single Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) multistage rocket at the de-orbiting satellite. About three minutes later, the payload of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System kill vehicle hit its target some 247 kilometers above.
With a full moon turning pale at dusk, the order was given from the Pentagon for the Lake Erie to fire its special SM-3 at the re-entering reconnaissance satellite, which U.S. officials had previously described as about the size of a small bus with an unused fuel supply of toxic hydrazine. Prior to the shoot-down, the decaying trajectory of the satellite, developed by the National Reconnaissance Office (and also referred to as NRO Launch 21), could be tracked by private online sites such as this one.
The Defense Department was preparing a press conference to offer more details on the shoot-down as of this writing, according to a report from the Associated Press tonight.
"Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours," the Pentagon said in a written statement. The Defense Department will conduct a briefing on the matter at 7:00 am EST tomorrow.
In its terse statement, the U.S. said: "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."
We will continue to offer updates as more details become available.
[For recent entries on the NRO satellite, please visit: Why U.S. Satellite Shoot-down Won't Be Like China's and Where Will U.S. Spy Satellite Fall?.]
Comments (2)
The Pentagon reports that the satellite carried 1000 pounds of fuel - less than 200 gallons by my estimate. If the alleged rationale ("rupture hydrazine tank") is true, then the tank is exposed, near the exterior of the "small bus"-sized satellite, likely to burn on re-entry, and present little actual risk to anyone.
A more credible reason to fragment the entire satellite, would be that it contains much secret technology. Some of that technology might remain intact and hard for our guys recover before anyone else, if the entire "bus" were to re-enter in one piece.
Much better for many smaller pieces to re-enter, thus yielding much more comeplete incineration.
As one who appreciates our nation's efforts to keep us safe and prosperous, I approve of the Pentagon's effort to keep our secrets secret, and the inventive cover story, which many will accept.
I have faith that the Pentagon will stick to their story.
Posted by Jim Susky | February 21, 2008 2:28 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 14:28
While I applaud the USA's technical prowess in achieving what amounts to shooting a speeding needle out of hte sky with another needle, I think it might be wiser to observe a more confidential posture regarding our National Security than to make such a spectacle out of something unachievable just a few short years ago. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in keeping the bad guys guessing about our full capabilities in such strategic arenas. Our strength lies in our cutting edge technologies, developed as a result of our much more superior training and education --- we shouldn't be so glib as to give it away in the public eye.
Posted by Dan Lawrence PE | February 21, 2008 8:05 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 20:05