A missile fired from a Navy ship struck an ailing U.S. spy satellite Wednesday night and probably succeeded in destroying a toxic fuel tank on board.
The SM-3 missile was fired from the USS Lake Erie in the Pacific at about 7:26 PST and collided with the satellite about 130 miles above the ocean, the Pentagon said in a statement.
"Due to the relatively low altitude of the satellite at the time of the engagement, debris will begin to reenter the earth's atmosphere immediately," the statement said. "Nearly all of the debris will burn up on reentry within 24-48 hours and the remaining debris should reenter within 40 days."
"Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours," it added.
However, the Associated Press cited an unnamed defense official close to the situation who said officials monitoring the operation saw what appeared to be an explosion, apparently from the fuel tank.
The Pentagon announced last week that President Bush had decided the Navy would try to shoot down the satellite before it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere because its fuel tank contained approximately 1,000 pounds of hazardous hydrazine.
However, some countries had expressed doubts about the operation, with some such as Russia characterizing the operation as little more than a thinly veiled arms test.
Actually, and this is really scary, a lot of the Navy's "smart ships" are apparently running on Windows these days. An early version of the software (Windows for Warships) crippled the USS Yorktown to the point where it had to be towed back to harbor.
The next time you watch an old war movie like "Sink the Bismark" think about our ships being "sunk" not by shells from 16 inch guns, but by a malicious email.
Why would it not be IBM and their OS/2 Warp when IBM was there when Britain needed them to help with the U2's that were landing in London. Follow the logic teachings like the Russian Space Federation have done.
See: "(RUS) Astronauts Training Complex" and "(RUS) Program and firmware set for servicing of the carrier rockets" here:
Would it not be even more "irresponsible and reckless" for the "shepherds to go to sleep" and not care too hoot if the "wolves" came at midnight and devoured the flocks. Did you happen to know anyone who worked at the WTC or at the Pentagon prior to 9/11?
it was not irresponsible. that is the fuel that is used for sattelites and its was supposed to burn off while in orbit. But since it lost communication after launch it could not take orders on when to use its fuel.... therefor full fuel tank. it was not designed to reign down on people
Web giant is spending $120 million to beef up its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, according to filings with the city reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News.
The Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 S6500 could make its debut at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month, according to a leaked promotional image.
MIT creates a simulation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spacewar. A relic of the early days of minicomputers, it was one of the first computer video games and set the stage for many others, including Asteroids.
ALSO, THE GUT FEELING IS THAT THE US NAVY IS RUNNING OS/2 WARP LIKE THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION DOES FOR THEIR SATELLITE LAUNCH PROGRAMS.
END OF TRANSMISSION.....
COMMANDER_SPOCK
are apparently running on Windows these days. An early version
of the software (Windows for Warships) crippled the USS
Yorktown to the point where it had to be towed back to harbor.
The next time you watch an old war movie like "Sink the
Bismark" think about our ships being "sunk" not by shells from
16 inch guns, but by a malicious email.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.gcn.com/print/17_17/33727-1.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.gcn.com/print/17_17/33727-1.html</a>
Please END your transmissions, Commander Spock.
what Russia thinks about it.
hope they have migrated off of that by now as that was a good 10
years ago.
See: "(RUS) Astronauts Training Complex" and "(RUS) Program and firmware set for servicing of the carrier rockets" here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://en.ecomstation.ru/solutions/" target="_newWindow">http://en.ecomstation.ru/solutions/</a>
What would have happened if an explosion during launch happened?
Why don't people ask the obvious questions?
Are you serious with your question/statement?
I am beginning to really dislike you and your posts. At least it isn't Anti-MS related!