Spy satellite could hit the USA, but DoD will shoot it down first (Merged threads)

[Lee]

I heard they were gonna launch Dick Cheney with a Browning O/U to take it out.

[Bigjake]

I heard they were gonna launch Dick Cheney with a Browning O/U to take it out.

I thought his expertise was lawyers, what did the poor satellite do to deserve such a fate?

[Manedwolf]

I heard they were gonna launch Dick Cheney with a Browning O/U to take it out.

I thought his expertise was lawyers, what did the poor satellite do to deserve such a fate?

Don't do that. He'd get distracted, and they'd end up needing to patch a hole in the shuttle.

[Antibubba]

This should be no problem, since all the tests of the anti-ballistic system have gone so well.

[Perd Hapley]

And they told us they didn't need a gun on the Soyuz.       

[Eleven Mike]

When will we learn that violence is not the answer?  When we respond to hatred with more hatred, it just perpetuates the cycle of violence.  Sob.  Sniff.   

[cordex]

A few years ago a whole shuttle crashed to the ground and I don't remember there being any reports of hydrazine contamination or anyone being hit in the melon by falling debris.

Of course, plenty of debris did make it to the ground from that crash.

[mfree]

"I hadn't realized they had developed nuclear reactors small enough to fit in satellites. "

Not precisely, but the SNAP series fit handily. We've had "nuclear" powered satellites since the 60's. Nuclear is in quotes because it's not a moderated fission reaction, it's a decay reaction that we utilize the heat from.

Now, that said, I'm twitching ever time I hear "shoot down". It's coming down on a given path that isn't going to change whether we shoot it or not, the idea is to pop the tanks so the nasties dissipate before it hits terra firma. We ain't shooting it down, we're just shooting it.

[MechAg94]

Yeah, we are just hoping to break it up a bit and maybe more of it will burn up or smaller pieces will hit the ground.

Either way, good chance to actually test some of those weapons systems.

[RocketMan]

I wonder if this is more of a, "See, we can do it, too", intended for the Chinese.  Not that they shouldn't already know that.

[Tallpine]

"I hadn't realized they had developed nuclear reactors small enough to fit in satellites. "

Not precisely, but the SNAP series fit handily. We've had "nuclear" powered satellites since the 60's. Nuclear is in quotes because it's not a moderated fission reaction, it's a decay reaction that we utilize the heat from.

I want one of those to replace the 40 gal gas tank on my Suburban

[mfree]

I wonder if this is more of a, "See, we can do it, too", intended for the Chinese. 

We did it in the 80's, off a high-flying F-15 Eagle.

[Gewehr98]

Merged threads, since they're both stating the same thing.

See ASM-125 ASAT missile reference.

RTGs have been onboard satellites for a long time.  Cassinni was one of the more well-known RTG-powered spacecraft to utilize the power generated by radioactive decay of isotopes.  (Not a nuclear reactor, btw)

They don't generate the kind of power one could for motive force on a vehicle, but are considered more attractive than trying to keep a solar array aligned with the sun as they get shadowed by the planets or the spacecraft changes orientation.  Cassini's RTG generated 600-900 watts, total.

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/safety.cfm

(I had to fly a WC-135 racetrack orbit near Canaveral just in case Cassini had an "oops" on launch, in order to track debris as it came back towards Spacecoast Florida)

[MechAg94]

I wonder if this is more of a, "See, we can do it, too", intended for the Chinese. 

We did it in the 80's, off a high-flying F-15 Eagle.

I remember that.  I was essentially a rocket with no explosive warhead and just smashed into the satellite. 

[280plus]

In my vision I see an impact and seconds later satellite TV goes down all across the Eastern seaboard.

Navy Admiral, "Oops!!" 

 

[Tallpine]

In my vision I see an impact and seconds later satellite TV goes down all across the Eastern seaboard.

Navy Admiral, "Oops!!" 

Yeah - just hope the Vincennes isn't the one trying to shoot it down 

[seeker_two]

I wonder if this is more of a, "See, we can do it, too", intended for the Chinese. 

We did it in the 80's, off a high-flying F-15 Eagle.

I remember that.  I was essentially a rocket with no explosive warhead and just smashed into the satellite. 

Really.......after a good Mexican dinner, I'd figure you'd have plenty of explosive potential.... 

[DJJ]

All this talk about the hydrazine and the RTG and no one has speculated that the real reason is to make sure the fancy camera is destroyed?

[roo_ster]

For my part, I expect a hit with little drama should the satellite get in range of the Std III missiles.

Suckers are designed ot hit warheads and the satellite is supposed to be school bus sized.

[280plus]

You mean there's CHILDREN on that thing? Oh the humanity... 

[roo_ster]

You mean there's CHILDREN on that thing? Oh the humanity... 

The way some folks hyperventilate about it, you'd think the kids were multi-ethnic hemophiliac aids patient UN peace ambassadors.

[Matthew Carberry]

How long of a bus?  That might explain it as well.

[Manedwolf]

How long of a bus?  That might explain it as well.

Based on how well it performed, I'd say short bus.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Looks like they hit it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/dead_satellite

 Missile hits dying US spy satellite

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 10 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A Navy missile soaring 130 miles above the Pacific smashed a dying and potentially deadly U.S. spy satellite Wednesday and probably destroyed a tank carrying 1,000 pounds of toxic fuel, officials said.

Officials had expressed cautious optimism that the missile would hit the satellite, which was the size of a school bus. But they were less certain of hitting the smaller, more problematic fuel tank, whose contents posed what Bush administration officials deemed a potential health hazard to humans if it landed intact.

In a statement announcing that the Navy missile struck the satellite, the Pentagon said, "Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours." It made no mention of early indications, but a defense official close to the situation said later that officials monitoring the collision saw what appeared to be an explosion, indicating that the fuel tank was hit.

<snip>

[Leatherneck]

I've got to hand it to the Navy/NCA: the cover story has been consistent and believable. Hydrazine: right. Health hazard: check. No other reason to take this shot.

TC