Will Falling Spy Satellite Hit The U.S.?

Military Developing Plans In Case Dead Satellite Strikes North America

(AP)  The U.S. military is developing contingency plans to deal with the possibility that a large spy satellite expected to fall to Earth in late February or early March could hit North America.

Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, who heads of U.S. Northern Command, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the size of the satellite suggests that some number of pieces will not burn up as the orbiting vehicle re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and will hit the ground.

"We're aware that this satellite is out there," Renuart said. "We're aware it is a fairly substantial size. And we know there is at least some percentage that it could land on ground as opposed to in the water."

A U.S. official confirmed that the spy satellite, which lost power and no longer can be controlled, was launched in December 2006 and could weigh as much as 10,000 pounds. It carried a sophisticated and secret imaging sensor but the satellite's central computer failed shortly after launch.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret, said the satellite is designated by the military as US 193, but it never reached its final orbit and the Pentagon declared it a total loss in early 2007.

Renuart added that, "As it looks like it might re-enter into the North American area," then the U.S. military along with the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will either have to deal with the impact or assist Canadian or Mexican authorities.

Military agencies, he said, are doing an analysis to determine which pieces most likely would survive re-entry. But he cautioned that officials won't have much detail on where or when it will crash until it begins to move through the atmosphere and break up.

Renuart added that there does not as yet appear to be much concern about sensitive technologies on the satellite falling into enemy hands.

"I'm not aware that we have a security issue," he said. "It's really just a big thing falling on the ground that we want to make sure we're prepared for."

The satellite includes some small engines that contain a toxic chemical called hydrazine — which is rocket fuel. But Renuart said they are not large booster engines with substantial amounts of fuel.

Initial estimates were that the satellite would take years to degrade and re-enter the atmosphere.

Video images of the satellite captured by John Locker, a British amateur satellite watcher, show it to be about 13 feet to 16.5 feet across. Locker calculated its size with data on its altitude and location provided by other amateur satellite watchers, using the International Space Station as a yardstick.

Satellite watchers — a worldwide network of hobbyists who track satellites for fun — have been plotting the satellite's degradation for a year. They estimate it is now at an altitude of about 173 miles, and Locker believes it is dropping about 1,640 feet a day.

Where it lands will be difficult to predict until the satellite falls to about 59 miles above the Earth and enters the atmosphere. It will then begin to burn up, with flares visible from the ground, said Ted Molczan, a Canadian satellite tracker. From that point on, he said, it will take about 30 minutes to fall.

In the past 50 years of monitoring space, 17,000 manmade objects have re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

[deriggs1]

What we need to find out is whether this satellite was powered by a radioactive thermal generator. RTGs use the heat produced from the decay of radioactive elements (plutonium) to generate electricity to power the satellite. This was a concern in 1997 when Cassini was launched. Perhaps there''s a chance of this device making it back to earth.

[deriggs1]

What we need to find out is whether this satellite was powered by a radioactive thermal generator. RTGs use the heat produced from the decay of radioactive elements (plutonium) to generate electricity to power the satellite. This was a concern in 1997 when Cassini was launched. Perhaps there''s a chance of this device making it back to earth.

[gce65]

If it hits anything important or anywhere near a population the White House will probably try to spin it as a new terrorist attack.

[lawyertom1]

That''s a big maybe, Houston.

[wonderyman-2009]

Probably a secret weapon in disguise - aimed at a certain point in the Pakistan frontier area. LOL

[cbsblogger]

As I recollect Bush and Cheney have given billions upon billions to Raytheon and the mil industrial complex to develop a working missile defense system.

So why isn''t this system going to be deployed to destroy this friendly but unpowered satellite that will fall in a relatively predetermined tragectory on US territory?

There is no better trial and use of this system than to destroy this satellite before it damages or kills someone in this country.

[pensacola88]

I agree with deriggs1 that nuclear reactors burning up in the skies 100-250 miles over the surface poses a significant risk of radioactive contamination. Satelites with RTG''s have fallen out of orbit before, and one of the Soviets actually produced measurable fallout that has been ingested in nearly every living plant and animal on this planet. The good news, is that NASA won''t put RTG''s in space without protection to avoid a similar disaster. I don''t know if the National Security Agency or Defense Intelligence Agency complies to the same safety directives imposed upon NASA.

[seeq2learn]

What''s satellite?

[barbaraf4]

"Satellite watchers %u2014 a worldwide network of hobbyists who track satellites for fun %u2014 have been plotting the satellite''s degradation for a year."

They have known about this for a year. I thought all this space stuff (really important and otherwise) had built in destruct mechanisms. Just aim an antenna, push a button and watch for the flash.

[unkie469]

Why can it not be shot down?

[gce65]

unkie469:
It can''t be shot down because the reality of shooting something like that is far beyond what we were led to believe ever since the Reagan administration and its Star Wars fantasy. Even the Patriot missile systems used during the first Gulf War and sold to other nations since has an abysmal success rate. May as well use your slingshot or a rifle.

[luigi999-2009]

I hope it lands somewhere in a super liberal area just so that it scares the pants off the whiney, annoying birdbrains. Liberals being inherent cowards I can just see them hiding under their beds crying for their mommies when this big bird comes down.

[middleman8]

Get the Chinese to bring it down, they have a good anti-rocket rocket.

[brianbwb-2009]

Please fall on Crawford, Texas! or Washington DC! then the military complex will have finally proven to be of some worth to the American people...

[robertkjjj]

Gee, I am so worried. How will I sleep nights, just KNOWING that this will crash on my house. Oh no. I am so scared. Help me please. Oh no, this is bad. Helpe us all God. Yes, this is such a top priority. This is so bad.

[robertkjjj]

God, please let this fall on either BrianBwb''s house, McVet''s house, or FeelFree''s house. Please, let this happen. Please let it roast them alive like the dog-vermin from hell that they are. Thank you Lord. Amen.

[samrensho]

George just needs to get his Christian-fascist backers to pray that it lands on the "bad guys" and we''re all safe.

[erasmus6]

If it falls on my house, I am going to be pissed.


"God, please let this fall on either BrianBwb''''s house, McVet''''s house, or FeelFree''''s house." posted by robertkjjj

I really think that it should fall on your house or terrorislam''s house.

[flreason]

"Liberals being inherent cowards I can just see them hiding under their beds crying for their mommies when this big bird comes down."
Posted by Luigi999

Excuse me...but exactly how do you justify a generalization like that?! I qualify as a liberal, but I''ll match my chutzpah with yours any day. And one of my offspring is in the military, which is more than most of the "conservative" politicians can say.

However, as a liberal I also believe in diplomacy, a complex concept beyond the mental abilities of the current conservative administration.

If our missle defense system is so *** good that the conservative Republicans want to expand it, why didn''t the military explode the satellite when it became obvious that its orbit was deteriorating? Could it be our missle defense system is just another defense contractor slush fund?

[brianbwb-2009]

God, please let this fall on either BrianBwb''''s house, McVet''''s house, or FeelFree''''s house. Please, let this happen. Please let it roast them alive like the dog-vermin from hell that they are. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Posted by robertkjjj

You honor me. Coming from someone who enjoys the death and misery brought to innocents as a result of Bush''s genocide, and the accompanying damage it has done to our own soldiers, economy, and international standing, I consider your dislike of me to be the highest compliment.

If you find my mere postings so objectionable that you wish for my demise, then I am most sincerely honored to be the object of your hate.

Thank you.

[vet_sk]

Likely this is all on purpose so that the United States can show the world how wonderful our Missle Defense program is -- that is paid for by the Chinese, and that will help further destabalize the world: the Bush Plan.

[beehive21-2009]

Renegade satellite ? it actually a alien space craft headed to area 51.

[vet_sk]

I love the facist right wing calling me a coward.
It seems though that they are the ones putting in all the rediculous extra security measures in place to protect themselves from the boogie man, attacking 3rd world countries that are not a threat to us, and bullying the world around.

They only hate liberals because Rush and Hannity tell them too. They can''t think for themselves and don''t know what a liberal is anyway.

The liberals, the thinkers are the ones who opposed the war from the beginning rather then going with the crowd. I fail to see why they are the cowards.

And call me a coward? Perhaps go to the places I did in Iraq and we can talk. Perhaps step-in and stop the abuse as I did in Iraq, and we can talk. Perhaps think with an ethical mind, and we can talk.

[blackbug99]

What the hell good is NASA? Any decent Bond or Austin Powers villian would have captured the satellite by now and be holding the earth''s major cities for ransom.

[vet_sk]

cbsblogger:
I''d just like to clarify your remark. You say we should destroy is before it hits and kills someone in this country. I agree but it is our satellite; I''d rather it hit me before it hurts someone in some other country that had nothing to do with it.

Thanks.

[mcvet]

And call me a coward? Perhaps go to the places I did in Iraq and we can talk. Perhaps step-in and stop the abuse as I did in Iraq, and we can talk. Perhaps think with an ethical mind, and we can talk.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Vet_SK at 08:23 AM : Jan 30, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL YOu think you are the ONLY one brother? LOL They will call anyone a coward who doesn''t support their views and their party. I wouldn''t let it bother me to much because, rest assured, there are a lot more of us that there are of them AND we have more courage than these creeps will ever have... We''ve PROVEN that IN UNIFORM and IN COMBAT!!

[vet_sk]

You''re right. Should have written "you call US cowards."

[extremophil]

Any intelligent person realizes that this is not a satellite, but a UFO that is carrying Elvis'' alien love child. It will obviously land near Graceland.

[brianbwb-2009]

"You''''re right. Should have written "you call US cowards." Posted by Vet_SK

Whether we served or not, anyone who has the intelligence to understand, and the patriotism and sense of humanity to oppose what Bush has caused with his lies, are honored by the enmity of the war mongers, it shows a regard for life that the sociopaths lack.

If such as those who send our children to die on the word of a liar, then wish to keep them dying there even after all the lies are revealed hate me for my opposition, I am glad, and thankful to be honored so.

[missingamerica]

"launched in December 2006"? With "a sophisticated and secret imaging sensor"?

Hey, what do you want to bet that this is one of the ones that Bush authorized to be used on the American people?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/15/the_skinny/main3168959.shtml

[godseyesore-2009]

Who or what can you sue if damaged by this stuff?
Why can''t ALL space material have a ''death-throe'' booster to exit earth orbit, ultimately to vanish at the sun? All world''s trash and especially toxic trash should be handled that way. Would solve a LOT of problems for the future.

[excoachken]

Hopefully, appropriately, on the Bush Library in Texas.

[rf35]

"Who or what can you sue if damaged by this stuff?
Why can''''t ALL space material have a ''''death-throe'''' booster to exit earth orbit, ultimately to vanish at the sun? All world''''s trash and especially toxic trash should be handled that way. Would solve a LOT of problems for the future."

1: Nobody.
2: Some do, but when the control computer fails as this one did, it won''t do any good because it can''t be ordered to fire.
3: Sending the world''s trash into the sun would cost too much and probably create more pollution from the rocket launches than it would get rid of.
But never fear...FEMA stands ready to assist if some of this does hit a populated area! Don''t you feel much safer now? Just stay out of any trailer they might offer you.

[erasmus6]

"I agree but it is our satellite; I''''d rather it hit me before it hurts someone in some other country that had nothing to do with it." posted by Vet_SK


Thank you. As a Canadian, I appreciated that.:)

But of course I have always found that the people that cause the problem are rarely the ones that suffer the consequences, it is usually everyone else that has to pay.

[walt1944-2009]

Concerning the bus-sized US spy satellite which is going to fall out of the sky, there are many in this country who wish that the remains of the thing impact the White House and land squarely in the Great Emperor Bush II''s lap!

However, given the Great Emperor''s paranoia about "terrrrorism", there is the strong possibility that if such an event occurred, he would regard it as a "terrrrrrorist" act by Al Qeada hatched in Iran by its president, What''s His Face! This depite the fact that the satellite would have US written all over it!

A more reasonable scenario is that the Great Emperor Bush II has made NASA make precise calculations as to when the satellite will come down, so that both he and VP Darth Vader Cheney will hide in the White House basement until the "incoming" is all over!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[newsjunky5]

"hatched in Iran by its president, What''''s His Face!"
------------------------

I believe his name is Armani Dinnerjacket

[andor3]

Anybody remember Skylab re-entering the atmosphere?

But this story doesn''t quite add up...

Why all the concern specifically about North America? They have no idea where it is headed. Any populated area is bad, but if it lands on an unfriendly territory (China, Russia), it is after all a military-launched missile and would could be seen as an act of war. Thanks to GWB the claims of "we are sorry it was an accident," will have zero credibility.

If it has nuclear material, even more concern.

But as someone said, it seems more likely the whole story is a ruse and this is supposed to test our missile defense or other missile defense. It is not hard to imagine the military mindset, upset over criticism of the failed SDI projects, deciding to spend a few hundred million to stage an "impending disaster" averted by a missile intercept. Problem with that scenario is the risk of failure is pretty high.

[grammawhamma]

"I''m not aware that we have a security issue," he said. "It''s really just a big thing falling on the ground that we want to make sure we''re prepared for."

Prepare for it''s landing how???