U.S. to shoot down falling satellite

The classified satellite that is expecting to come crashing to Earth in the next few weeks will now be used for target practice. The National Security Council said Thursday that President Bush has asked the Pentagon to come up with a plan to destroy the satellite while it's still aloft. Many observers say a shoot-down is unnecessary because such objects falling to Earth typically burn up when re-entering the atmosphere or, if they make it through, would miss any habitation by a wide margin. Speculation holds that the spacecraft must be part of a new generation of spy satellite.

Read more on The Washington Post: "U.S. Plans to Shoot Down Broken Spy Satellite"