US missile hits spy satellite - World - theage.com.au
US missile hits spy satellite - World - theage.com.au
US missile hits spy satellite
Washington
February 22, 2008
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A MISSILE interceptor launched from a US Navy warship yesterday struck a dying American spy satellite orbiting 210 kilometres above the Pacific Ocean, according to the Pentagon.
“A network of … sensors confirms that the US military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the Earth’s atmosphere,” the Pentagon said.
The USS Lake Erie, an Aegis-class cruiser, fired a single missile that hit the satellite as it traveled at more than 27,000 km/h, the statement said.
Officials cautioned that while early information indicated that the interceptor’s “kill vehicle” had hit the satellite, it would be 24 hours before it was determined whether the fuel tank with 450 kilograms of toxic hydrazine was destroyed. The navy had a firing window that lasted only seconds.
NEW YORK TIMES
