The USS Lake Erie launches a Standard Missile-3 at a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph over the Pacific Ocean February 20, 2008 in this handout photo released by the US Defense Department. A missile from a US Navy warship hit a defunct US spy satellite 133 nautical miles (247 km) above the Earth in an attempt to blow apart its tank of toxic fuel, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The Department of Defense announced in Washington on Monday that based on debris analysis, officials are confident the missile intercept and destruction of an out-of-control spy satellite, achieved the objective of destroying the toxical fuel tank.
A modified tactical SM-3 missile was launched by the USS Lake Erie, positioned northwest of Hawaii, at 10:26 P.M. EST on February 20,to shoot down the defunct satellite.
The satellite is the target, however, the more important thing is that the Pentagon hopes the missile can hit exactly the tank carrying toxical fuels aboard the spacecraft.
"By all accounts this was a successful mission. From the debris analysis, we have a high degree of confidence the satellite's fuel tank was destroyed and the hydrazine has been dissipated," said James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Monday at the Pentagon news briefing.
The US satellite shoot down action spurred significant concerns around the world. The US military and government officials have stressed at several news briefings that the mission is not designed to test US anti-satellite capabilities.
On Monday's briefing, Cartwright said that the other two modified missiles as backup will be configured back to their original status as tactical missiles.
The US military is tracking less than 3,000 pieces of debris, all smaller than a football. The vast majority of debris has already reentered or will shortly reenter the Earth's atmosphere in the coming days and weeks. To date, there have been no reports of debris landing on earth, according to the Pentagon.
(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2008)
