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US says satellite shoot-down a success
Washington (AFP) Feb 25, 2008 The shoot-down of a rogue spy satellite by the US Navy last week was a success and reduced the risk of damage to humans from its toxic fuel, the Pentagon said Monday in a statement. "Officials are confident the missile intercept of a non-functioning national reconnaissance satellite achieved the objective of destroying the hydrazine tank and reducing, if not eliminating, the risk to people on Earth from hazardous chemicals," the statement said. "By all accounts, this was a successful mission," it quoted general James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as saying, after a US warship shot down the satellite over the Pacific on Wednesday. "From the debris analysis, we have a high degree of confidence the satellite's fuel tank was destroyed and the hydrazine has been dissipated," Cartwright said. The operation raised Chinese concerns that the United States was trying to test an anti-satellite weapon, amid rising global tensions about the militarization of space. The United States insisted the move was aimed at preventing harm to people. But Defense Secretary Robert Gates said after the satellite was shot down: "I think the question over whether this (missile defense system) capability works has been settled." Related Links Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
ASAT Weapons And Doctrine In The Early 21st Century Part One
Moscow (UPI) Feb 22, 2008 H-hour -- the time American spy satellite USA-193/NROL-21 had to fall -- was calculated for March 6. Where the crash would have taken place would have been unknown until the last moment. A more or less accurate site can be established only an hour or two before a satellite enters the denser atmosphere. |
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