As a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) launches from the U.S. Navy AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), successfully impacting a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean, as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. President George W. Bush decided to bring down the satellite because of the likelihood that the satellite could release hydrazine fuel upon impact, possibly in populated areas. (U.S. Navy photo)
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 yesterday, 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.