Pentagon Opens Window of Time to Shoot Down Satellite

American Forces Press Service ^ | Gerry J. Gilmore

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2008 – The Pentagon has opened the window of time in which it will shoot down a malfunctioning U.S. reconnaissance satellite, a senior U.S. military officer said here today.

Today’s return of the space shuttle Atlantis to Earth prompted the start of the optimal time period for shooting down the satellite, which extends until about the end of the month, the senior officer told Pentagon reporters.

Only “tens of seconds” will be available each day for a favorable launch of a ship-based SM-3 interceptor missile, the senior officer said. “The window is small, … but we’re looking for the best orientation of the satellite” before launching the missile, the officer explained.

The 5,000-pound satellite malfunctioned soon after it was launched in 2006, making it unresponsive to ground control. It is carrying a tank full of hydrazine, a toxic rocket fuel. The satellite, orbiting every 90 minutes or so, was expected to fall to Earth in February or March with its tank of hydrazine intact, possibly endangering human populations.

President Bush directed the Defense Department to engage the satellite just before it enters the atmosphere at about 150 miles above the Earth. The goal is for the missile to hit and rupture the tank of rocket fuel, causing the hydrazine to burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, along with debris from the stricken satellite.

About 50 percent of debris produced by the missile strike is expected to burn up during the stricken satellite’s first two orbits after being hit, the senior military officer said, with the rest burning up shortly after. The strike is designed to leave no space debris.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is to give the order to launch, based upon commanders’ recommendations, the senior officer said. Gates will be advised as to the optimal time to launch by the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, based at Offutt Air Force Base, in Omaha, Neb.

All space sensor and missile-tracking activity related to the missile launch is being coordinated by the Joint Space Operations Center, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Sensors, such as large radars and telescopes, are being coordinated by the Joint Integrated Missile Defense Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., under the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command.

Three U.S. Navy ships -- the cruiser USS Lake Erie and the destroyers USS Decatur and USS Russell -- are posted in the Pacific Ocean waiting for an optimal time to launch, the senior officer said. The Erie is slated to shoot at the satellite, and it is fitted with two SM-3 missiles. The Decatur has one, and the Russell has none. The missiles were modified to carry additional sensor equipment for the mission, the senior officer said.

The launch will be conducted during daytime over the Pacific, the senior officer explained, so that all sensors involved can better track the results of the missile launch. Necessary criteria for launch include satisfactory alignment of all pre-launch sensor-supplied data, as well as favorable weather conditions, he said.

Currently, the wave height about the ships is unfavorable to launch, the officer said. However, this and other conditions are subject to change, he added.

[kinoxi]

What does your son think about the chances? If you don’t mind me asking.

[MarkeyD]

I hope they tape it and put it up on YouTube.

[Robe]

I’m tracking it now real time via STSPLUS..
Weather:
Sea Bouy Midway Island:
Wind Speed (WSPD): 0.0 kts
5-day plot - Wind Gust Wind Gust (GST): 1.0 kts
5-day plot - Atmospheric Pressure Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 30.15 in
5-day plot - Air Temperature Air Temperature (ATMP): 67.6 °F
5-day plot - Water Temperature Water Temperature (WTMP): 70.9 °F

Sea Bouy: N of Hawaii:
Wave Height (WVHT): 2.6 ft
5-day plot - Dominant Wave Period Dominant Wave Period (DPD): 13 sec
5-day plot - Average Period Average Period (APD): 5.7 sec
5-day plot - Mean Wave Direction Mean Wave Direction (MWD): N ( 353 deg true )
5-day plot - Water Temperature Water Temperature (WTMP): 75.7 °F

Sea State looks good...Cloud cover = 3/10 in area

Look for an attempt about 10:30 EST

[utherdoul]

I wonder if homeowners insurance covers satalite impact on my house. Or will I have to wait 9-12 months to get a check from the feds. Assuming on the off chance it comes anywhere near Taxachusetts.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It's called land debris when it crashes into your backyard.

The plan is to have it reduced to small enough pieces that will burn up upon de-orbit.

Small pieces left in orbit would constitute a hazard for future navigation. Thus the use of the phrase 'space debris'.

[Red_Devil 232]

It is makes an orbit every 90 min. News is saying if conditions are right the best time will be around 10pm EST.

[SandRat]

hello,... All State? You’re not gonna believe this but I have a unique claim and I want to see if I’m covered...

[SandRat]

Real Good.

[CIDKauf]

Don’t worry ... they will supply you with a trailor built with toxic materials instead...its free!

[RDTF]

Go USNavy and AEGIS BMD!

[kinoxi]

Good to hear. ;)

[Westlander]

Please let it hit Detroit with a full tank of Hydrazine. Please.

[utherdoul]

with that kind of service I’m strongly considering becoming a citizen of Mexico and returning to the US. I get all the same benefits but I don’t have to pay a cent in taxes.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

will this be on NASA TV?

[Westlander]

NASA is heavily involved with the shootdown as well.

[kinoxi]

They should be. We generally don’t need to monitor this type of event when (most of) our systems are geared towards ground based threats. I’m looking forward to the video of this one.

[Desron13]

"Only “tens of seconds” will be available each day for a favorable launch of a ship-based SM-3 interceptor missile"

Is there anyone else on this thread that's a little surprised that one of our interceptor missiles is actually capable of shooting down targets in low Earth orbit? I thought I was fairly well versed on our basic military capabilities and knew we could do this from an aircraft at high altitude but a ship launch is really quite impressive.

[Ezekiel]

The goal is for the missile to hit and rupture the tank of rocket fuel, causing the hydrazine to burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, along with debris from the stricken satellite.

Either that or,

Revelation 8:10-11

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Just in time for an eclipse!

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Anyone know what country is going to get the lucky (?) front rom seat? Just hope it’s not the “splash zone” like the Shamu Show at SeaWorld...

[SandRat]

It’s been going on for over 4 year’s that I know of that my has been working on it and testing it.