US takes aim at falling spy satellite

US takes aim at falling spy satellite

By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington

Published: February 15 2008 01:52 | Last updated: February 15 2008 01:52

The Pentagon plans to shoot down a falling spy satellite before it enters the atmosphere because of concerns that it could harm humans.

General James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on Thursday said the navy would have roughly one week to target the satellite, starting several days from Friday. The satellite was launched in December 2006 but its communications system went dead after reaching orbit. The US announced it had started falling to earth last month.

While many old satellites fall to earth without causing significant damage, administration officials said George W. Bush had ordered the Pentagon to attempt to intercept the satellite out of concern that its hydrazine fuel could harm humans.

“The likelihood of the ­satellite falling in a populated area is small, and the extent and duration of toxic hydrazine in the atmosphere would be quite limited,” said James Jeffrey, deputy national security adviser.

“Nevertheless, if the satellite did fall in a populated area, there is a possibility of death or injury to human beings beyond that associated with the fall of satellites and other space objects normally.”

The Pentagon is to fit an Aegis destroyer with three medium-range missiles. Officials would say only that the attempt to hit the satellite would come from somewhere in the northern Pacific Ocean. Gen Cartwright said there was a “reasonably high opportunity for ­success”.

However, Geoffrey Forden, an expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the Pentagon would face challenges because of the speed of the satellite.

“The only things they have going for them are that the satellite’s trajectory is going to be very well known, and that the satellite is going to be much brighter than they are used to dealing with in missile defence tests,” said Mr Forden.

Gen Cartwright said the the ship’s interceptors would attempt to hit the satellite just before it entered the earth’s atmosphere to reduce the amount of debris remaining in space.

After receiving a briefing from the Pentagon, Ike Skelton, the Democratic chairman of the House armed services committee, said: “I am satisfied that the destruction of the malfunctioning satellite is the best option available to protect public safety.”

However, Michael Krepon, an expert at the Stimson Center, said the rationale for the plans to shoot the satellite were “threadbare”.