Navy Missile Hits Spy Satellite

AP via Drudge Report ^ | February 20, 2008 10:53 PM US/Eastern | By ROBERT BURNS

[TexasBeth]

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......"

[Moonman62]

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.

[clintonh8r]

I’m flattered, but just a Jarhead.

[kinoxi]

Nice.

[stockstrader]

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

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

It’s fortunate that we has such an effective anti-satellite/missile defense system available.

[rvoitier]

Made me bust out laughing.

Good Stuff, y'all.

[RedMonqey]

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)

[HawaiianGecko]

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!

[grey_whiskers]

So "Star Wars" and the like is unattainable?

Suck on that, libs.

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

w00t!

[jrp]

Excellent! How about we start taking down Chinese spy satellites next.

[Moonman62]

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.

[Danae]

Go Navy! Beat EVERYTHING!

[Tree of Liberty]

I would imagine that the timing is especially important for muslims, since tonight is also a lunar eclipse.

[MeekOneGOP]

Bumpski!

[Merlinator]

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.

[RedMonqey]

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?

[Tirian]

Clear here in upstate NY for seeing the beautiful eclipse, although temps are in the single digits, so the telescope (and hands) got cold.

[yorkie]

DFU, you crack me up! LOL!

[Fiddlstix]

YeeHaw!!