Wednesday, February 20, 2008

It's a Hit

AP military correspondent Robert Burns reports that an SM-3 missile from a U.S. navy vessel successfully struck a defunct spy satellite over the Pacific tonight. The intercept was aimed at destroying the satellite before it reenters the earth's atmosphere, lessening the danger from falling debris that survives reentry, including the platform's large propellant tank, filled with toxic hydrazine.

The missile was launched around 10:30 p.m. EST this evening, and struck the satellite shortly after. Defense Secretary Robert Gates made the final decision to conduct the intercept.

Earlier in the day, it appeared that heavy seas around Hawaii would delay the intercept attempt. But the weather improved in the later afternoon, allowing the launch to proceed.

Pentagon officials say it may be a couple of days before the status of the fuel tank and its cargo are known. However, early reports suggested that the tank was destroyed by the missile impact.

It was, by any measure, an impressive test. Plans for the shootdown moved from the drawing board to execution in barely three months, after it became apparent that the dead spy satellite would soon reenter the earth's atmosphere.

The intercept was conducted by three U.S. Navy vessels, the cruiser Lake Erie and the destroyers Russell and Decatur. It is believed that the SM-3 that engaged the satellite came from the Lake Erie. All three ships had been modified for the shootdown mission.

5 comments:

Lowly Knave said...

Wow. the first report from Yahoo called the strike "an attack". It took only the amount of time to reregister for it to disappear. Kinda killed what I had to say.

eatyourbeans said...

The reports say the missile wasn't carrying an explosive warhead. If you're going to all this trouble to hit it, why wouldn't you want to blow the target to bits?

F said...

Eatyourbeans -- because an explosion in near space doesn't carry the effect of an explosion here on earth. F

F said...

I should have been more explicit -- no atmosphere, little propagation of shock wave. Not much to compress. However, very high speed closure of two orbiting bodies results in explosive damage.

In any case, Good Show! F

Peter said...

"heavy seas around Hawaii would delay the intercept"

I don't understand. They can only intercept on a clear and calm day?

So, what happens if there is an attack during a storm?