Broken Satellite Poses Threat

Plans in place to shoot down satellite before it crashes to Earth.

By: Emily Forrester | WKRG-TV
Published: February 15, 2008

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WASHINGTON (AP) - For the first time ever, the Pentagon is
planning to shoot down a spacecraft with a missile.
White House officials say President Bush decided to bring down
the broken spy satellite because its fuel poses a danger to people
on the ground.
Officials aren't saying exactly when they'll try, but the
satellite is expected to hit Earth during the first week of March.
General James Cartwright says a "window of opportunity" will open
in the next three or four days and last for a week or so.
The Joint Chiefs vice chairman says the Navy will fire the
missile just before the satellite re-enters Earth's atmosphere,
aiming for the fuel tank. After entry, Cartwright says atmospheric
disturbances would make it "next to impossible" to hit whatever
is left of the spacecraft.