Out-Of-Control Satellite Hurtling Toward Earth
WASHINGTON - A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and propulsion and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday.
The satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.
“Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation,” said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. “Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause.”
He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time.
A senior government official said that lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.
The largest uncontrolled re-entry by a NASA spacecraft was Skylab, the 78-ton abandoned space station that fell from orbit in 1979. Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia.
In 2000, NASA engineers successfully directed a safe de-orbit of the 17-ton Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, using rockets aboard the satellite to bring it down in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.
In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound science satellite smacked into the Earth’s atmosphere and rained down over the Persian Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would plummet.
(AP)
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I blame Global Warming, someone get AlGore on this, pronto!
January 26th, 2008 at 1:31 pmSend out an immediate “Chicken Little” alert to Dennis Kucinich. Ask him to contact the mothership and have then nudge the satelight into a safer orbit…or blast it with their phasers.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:01 pmShoot it down if it’s going to land where it might hurt someone. Let it go if it is headed for Tehran, Damascus, Pyongyang, Wazyristan, and a few other choice spots.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:33 pm” lost power and propulsion ”
I’d like to know how that happened
“The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.”
This just befuddles me
January 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm“The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.”
Somebody screwed up and they had to mention this ’cause it might hit you in the head…
January 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm