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Navy Missile Hits Spy Satellite
AP via Drudge Report ^
| February 20, 2008 10:53 PM US/Eastern
| By ROBERT BURNS
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......"
TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aegis; boom; chinaterrified; dod; missiledefense; nmd; satellite; sdi; space; starwars; thenavy; usn
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To: RedMonqey
No explosives needed. Just kinetic energy from traveling so fast and colliding with the satellite. Essentially the kill vehicle is motionless. The kinetic energy is provided by the target.
161
posted on
02/20/2008 8:55:36 PM PST
by
Moonman62
(The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
To: eyedigress
I’m flattered, but just a Jarhead.
162
posted on
02/20/2008 8:58:24 PM PST
by
clintonh8r
(An Obomanation would be an abomination.)
To: TexasBeth
163
posted on
02/20/2008 8:59:11 PM PST
by
kinoxi
To: Perdogg
The reporter for ABC Radio emphasized the cost of the missile strike, he was pissed and I luv it!Just think of all the government-sponsored, free 'health care' that could have been purchased with that money!!!...lol
To: TexasBeth
It’s fortunate that we has such an effective anti-satellite/missile defense system available.
165
posted on
02/20/2008 9:06:47 PM PST
by
Mad_Tom_Rackham
("The land of the Free...Because of the Brave")
To: steve86
Made me bust out laughing.
Good Stuff, y'all.
166
posted on
02/20/2008 9:06:50 PM PST
by
rvoitier
(Remember, she's just Mrs. Bill Clinton)
To: Moonman62
Essentially the kill vehicle is motionless. The kinetic energy is provided by the target.
I assumed both objects where moving at tremendously rates, The missile at 17,000 mph while the satellite at 23,000mph.
But hey...
I'm not a scientist but I did sleep at an Holiday Inn.(old line I know)
To: Tulsa Ramjet
Don't forget Raytheon. They're the ones that built the thing and did the last minute retrofit without testing I might add, to make this SM-3 hit a 'cold' target on the first shot. I'll give the squids one thing though, they sure had the best seats on the planet!
To: TexasBeth
So "Star Wars" and the like is unattainable?
Suck on that, libs.
Cheers!
169
posted on
02/20/2008 9:11:21 PM PST
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: TexasBeth
170
posted on
02/20/2008 9:11:42 PM PST
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: stockstrader
Excellent! How about we start taking down Chinese spy satellites next.
171
posted on
02/20/2008 9:13:44 PM PST
by
jrp
To: RedMonqey
The kill vehicle models a grid perpendicular to the direction of motion of the target, and attempts to be in the spot in the grid where the target will pass.
BTW, the speed for low earth orbits is approximately 17,000 mph so that would be the speed of the satellite, and would provide more than enough kinetic energy.
172
posted on
02/20/2008 9:14:13 PM PST
by
Moonman62
(The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
To: TexasBeth
Go Navy! Beat EVERYTHING!
173
posted on
02/20/2008 9:16:13 PM PST
by
Danae
(Remember: Obama = Pull out from Iraq. PLAN on voting, or accept responsibility for the consequences.)
To: Constitution Day
I would imagine that the timing is especially important for muslims, since tonight is also a lunar eclipse.
To: 11th_VA
175
posted on
02/20/2008 9:20:39 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
To: TexasBeth
I was hoping they could just sort of change the trajectory so it would reenter and land on the Oscars celebration with its concentration of Hollywood twits.
176
posted on
02/20/2008 9:20:45 PM PST
by
Merlinator
(Stop the Obamination!)
To: Moonman62
So, in layman terms the kill vehicle is like a man walking into the middle of the road and waitng for the next truck to smack into him?
To: TexasBeth
Clear here in upstate NY for seeing the beautiful eclipse, although temps are in the single digits, so the telescope (and hands) got cold.
178
posted on
02/20/2008 9:21:23 PM PST
by
Tirian
To: doug from upland
DFU, you crack me up! LOL!
179
posted on
02/20/2008 9:22:25 PM PST
by
yorkie
To: TexasBeth
YeeHaw!!
180
posted on
02/20/2008 9:22:40 PM PST
by
Fiddlstix
(Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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