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U.S. Missile Hits Disabled Spy Satellite

posted by admin in February 23rd, 2008  Article Under: News, Technology, space   Tags: , , , ,   

Honolulu - The U.S. war ship “Lake Erie” blasted a disabled spy satellite with a tactical SM-3 missile, which exactly strikes the school bus-sized satellite that was traveling at a speed of more than 7000 miles per hour. It had attained the ultimate target of exploding a tank of toxic hydrazine fuel at a height of 133 nautical miles above the Pacific Ocean, said the defense officials.

Lake Erie

Demolishing the satellite’s hazardous fuel tank containing 1,000 pounds of hydrazine fuel was the primary goal, said a senior defense official on Thursday. He said it seems that the tank was totally demolished, and the pinpoint strike with a specially designed missile was an absolute success.

Many international leaders had protested against this as they see this incident as a thinly disguised attempt to test an anti-satellite weapon — one that could destroy rival country’s spy satellite and orbiting communications.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. “China is always having a watchful eye over the possible harm that was created by U.S. action to outer space security and relevant countries.

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