Spy Satellite Falling

After its launch in December, a U.S. spy satellite will have to be shot down before it starts falling next month.

Unlike other space debris that just burn up going down, this particular satellite carries 1,000 pounds of frozen hydrazine. This toxic propellant will get heated into gas in the atmosphere as the satellite makes its way down — and when it hits, it could spread a toxic cloud approximately the size of two football fields. Hydrazine is a compound similar to ammonia or chlorine in that it affects the lungs and breathing tissue when inhaled. All this information is according to Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The satellite was launched into space using a Delta II missile (as shown above) in December. Shortly after launch, however, the spy satellite already started malfunctioning.

Sources say that even without human interference as early as next month the satellite will start making its way down to Earth. The option of shooting it down with another missile was decided upon by President Bush himself. This is after consultation with government and military intelligence officials.

“After further review of this option and, in particular, consideration of the question of saving or reducing injury to human life, the president, on the recommendation of his national and homeland teams, directed the Department of Defense to carry out the intercept,” said Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey.

The plan is to strike the satellite just before it enters our atmosphere. As it makes its way down they will blast the tank containing the hydrazine propellant, making it explode in space rather than on Earth impact. Nothing will be left afterwards except smaller debris that will more likely just burn up to even smaller bits in the atmosphere.

“If we miss, nothing changes. If we shoot and barely touch it, the satellite is just barely in orbit” and would still burn up somewhat in the atmosphere, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said. “If we shoot and get a direct hit, that’s a clean kill and we’re in good shape,” Griffin added.

Experts say that with most of the Earth covered in water, there’s a 25 percent chance the satellite’s remnants will hit land and a 1 percent chance it will hit a populated area.