Pentagon Announced Malfunctioning Device To Be Shot Down
In a first of its kind endeavor, the Navy revealed that they would be tasking a missile system to shoot down a U.S. Spy Satellite. This will occur sometime after February 20th, 2008.
James F. Jeffrey, deputy national security advisor spoke at the Pentagon at a news conference regarding the event. Mr. Jeffrey is also a U.S. Ambassador and assistant to President Bush.
“President Bush has decided to bring the satellite down to prevent the release of Hydrazine,†said Ambassador Jeffrey. “There is only a small chance of it falling in any area that is populated, but because of any risk at all, the President wants to bring the satellite down safely,†said Jeffrey.
There appears to be a limited window of opportunity in which the satellite can be successfully shot down, according to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Cartwright. Marine Corps General James E. Cartwright states that this window begins sometime over the next four days and will be open for about eight days after that.
The United States Navy has three missiles that are carried aboard Aegis Class Naval Vessels that are going to be tasked to shoot down the Spy Satellite. Three specific SM-3 type missiles will be used to intercept the satellite in such a way to force it to fall on an unpopulated area.
Michael Griffin, the NASA Administrator said that they reviewed the plans by the Pentagon and agrees that the risk to the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle program are minimal. “We agree this is a decision that was made safely, carefully and objectively,†state Griffin.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think the decision to shoot down the damaged satellite is wise. It could spell an ugly scenaio if it falls in populated area, however small the possibility is. If it falls into third world, the reputation of US will hit new low. Al Qaida and other anti-US opponents will captlaize on it. Particularly worrying is protest from China and Russia, the other space powers. When China shot down one of US’s Big Bird or Keyhole, I shook with fear on how technologically ahead China had become, thanks to lack of CTBT and other technological loopholes. Russia too is supplying GPS technology around he world, to Iran and other rogue states. I think the Unied States should boost its scientific education and the military in particular ca do a lot in this regard.