United States officials are optimistic that the Navy missile launched on Wednesday hit the free falling spy satellite. What they cannot be certain of, however, is if they hit the smaller fuel tank — whose toxic content hydrazine, pose a health hazard to humans if it hits land. The missile launched to destroy the tank was designed to counter other incoming missiles so precision may be an issue.

The Pentagon said in a statement: “Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours.”

An official close to the situation said later that those monitoring the collision saw “an explosion” – which means they hit the problematic fuel tank.

The USS Lake Erie (pictured above) launched an SM-3 missile at the satellite. They launched at 10:26 p.m. and hit the satellite in around three minutes.

As for the debris of the successful hit, the Pentagon says that: “Nearly all of the debris will burn up on re-entry within 24 to 48 hours and the remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days.” The satellite was already orbiting closer than when news broke of the possible threat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a bulletin stating that the health risk from the satellite debris is considered low. “However, CDC is encouraging health officials and clinicians to review information about the health effects related to hydrazine to prepare in case their communities are affected by satellite debris.”

Notices have also been issued worldwide to seafarers and aviators to stay away from that certain area in the Pacific where the satellite debris are calculated to fall. The military has also calculated that risk to aviation is comfortably very minimal – so much so that United States and international aviation officers decided not to reroute air traffic.