Posted on 02/20/2008 7:51:05 PM PST by TexasBeth
Edited on 02/20/2008 8:10:37 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
WASHINGTON (AP) - A missile launched from a Navy ship successfully struck a dying U.S. spy satellite passing 130 miles over the Pacific on Wednesday, a defense official said. Full details were not immediately available.
It happened just after 10:30 p.m. EST.
Two officials said the missile was launched successfully. One official, who is close to the process, said it hit the target. He said details on the results were not immediately known.
The goal in this first-of-its-kind mission for the Navy was not just to hit the satellite but to obliterate a tank aboard the spacecraft carrying 1,000 pounds of a toxic fuel called hydrazine.
U.S. officials have said the fuel would pose a potential health hazard to humans if it landed in a populated area. Although the odds of that were small even if the Pentagon had chosen not to try to shoot down the satellite, it was determined that it was worth trying to eliminate even that small chance.
Officials said it might take a day or longer to know for sure if the toxic fuel was blown up......"
Three cheers for the Navy!
I can’t help but mention that I had the very great honor to meet a Flying Tiger today.
Go Navy!
Like shooting a quarter with a 45. .... from 10 miles away!!!
Hurray USA!!!
USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
Pretty good shot to hit something 150 miles away... moving 17,000 miles per hour.
you are absolutely right.
woohooo!!!
http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/html/faq.html
Missile Defense Agency
Frequently Asked Questions
How does missile defense work?
Missile defense systems being developed and tested by MDA are primarily based on hit-to-kill technology. Instead of an explosive warhead, hit-to-kill relies on a very high closing speed to collide with and destroy its target using only kinetic energy - the force of the collision to pulverize the target warhead. It has been described as hitting a bullet with a bullet - a capability that has been successfully demonstrated in test after test. Another approach is used by the Airborne Laser, which uses directed energy to destroy its target. MDA is developing systems to intercept incoming missiles in all phases of flight to include boost, midcourse and terminal. This layered approach will allow for multiple engagements and prevent the incoming missile from reaching its target.
I’m amazed that the Navy SM-3 missile has that kind of range. Especially when shot straight up.
US obviously. But, If we had sent up a spy satellite that worked and didn't have to be shot down in the first place we might not seem to be jingoistic morons bragging that we fixed our own F***-up.
a moving quarter at that
Go Navy!
There's an eclipse? Man, I thought we got carried away and shot down the moon.
You are welcome. There are some more details available here about that SM-2 launch during RIMPAC 2006.
There is also a much larger version of the same photograph available here.
amazed that the Navy SM-3 missile has that kind of range. Especially when shot straight up.
—
The model missile used has some special modifications to get it there.
Ha! you know the drill.
Do we have to check with AlGore to get our kinetic energy offsets?
Your not a Marshall Islands guy are ye?
Not an expert, but I understand there is no explosive. Rather, they rely on a direct hit and an impact velocity of over 20,000 mph to release all the joules that are needed to destroy the target. Wish I could'a seen it. Should'a been quite a show!
Great shot Navy
Yes!!! Thanks Ronald Reagan for pushing the research that was derided as “Star Wars” and “would be like hitting a bullet with a bullet”.
Check off another failed statement by my college professor:
“There is no such thing as a TOW missile -the idea a wire would be attached to a missile is ludicrous “
“Boris Yeltsin is a drunk who will amount to nothing”
“Star Wars will never work, its like hitting a bullet with a bullet”
“Chinese women are proud to take part in China’s 1 child plan”
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