This is Just TOO Cool

Military prepares to shoot down toxics-laden spy satellite

Feb. 20 -- The Feb. 20 landing of the space shuttle Atlantis has opened a seven to eight day window of opportunity for the U.S. military to shoot down a wayward U.S. spy satellite headed for Earth.

Department of Defense officials say the destruction of the spy satellite before it enters Earth´s atmosphere is important because fuel onboard could pose an environmental risk.

Officials have said they don´t know where the satellite would come down, but that it likely would not burn up entirely upon re-entering the atmosphere. If the satellite fell into a populated area, it could release the fuel hydrazine, a toxic chemical that could endanger anyone nearby, according to Defense Department officials.

"This operation is designed to alleviate a threat to human beings on this planet," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell. "There is a large tank of hydrazine fuel onboard that satellite that would pose a significant threat to people within the immediate vicinity of it if it were to hit land."

The Navy has modified three SM-3 missiles aboard ships that can be fired in hopes of striking the satellite, rupturing the hydrazine tank in the process.

U.S. military and government experts are evaluating when the missiles should be fired to have the best chances of striking their target.