This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7211443.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Spy satellite to plummet to Earth | |
| (5 days later) | |
| A "large" US spy satellite has gone out of control and is expected to crash to Earth sometime in late February or March, government sources say. | A "large" US spy satellite has gone out of control and is expected to crash to Earth sometime in late February or March, government sources say. |
| Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the satellite had lost power and propulsion, and could contain hazardous materials. | Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the satellite had lost power and propulsion, and could contain hazardous materials. |
| The White House said it was monitoring the situation. | The White House said it was monitoring the situation. |
| A spokesman said "numerous" satellites had come out of orbit and fallen back to Earth harmlessly over the years. | A spokesman said "numerous" satellites had come out of orbit and fallen back to Earth harmlessly over the years. |
| "We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause," said Gordon Johndroe, who speaks for the US National Security Council. | "We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause," said Gordon Johndroe, who speaks for the US National Security Council. |
| Questioned by The Associated Press, he would not be drawn on whether the US would try to destroy the satellite, perhaps with a missile. | Questioned by The Associated Press, he would not be drawn on whether the US would try to destroy the satellite, perhaps with a missile. |
| An unnamed official quoted by AP said the US government was keeping lawmakers and other countries abreast of the situation. | An unnamed official quoted by AP said the US government was keeping lawmakers and other countries abreast of the situation. |
| Fuel hazard | Fuel hazard |
| The satellite contains the rocket fuel hydrazine, a government official told AP on condition of anonymity. | The satellite contains the rocket fuel hydrazine, a government official told AP on condition of anonymity. |
| A colourless liquid with an ammonia-like odour, the fuel is a toxic chemical and can cause harm to anyone who comes in contact with it. | A colourless liquid with an ammonia-like odour, the fuel is a toxic chemical and can cause harm to anyone who comes in contact with it. |
| John Pike, director of the defence research group GlobalSecurity.org, said an uncontrolled re-entry could risk exposure of US secrets. | John Pike, director of the defence research group GlobalSecurity.org, said an uncontrolled re-entry could risk exposure of US secrets. |
| Spy satellites typically are disposed of through a controlled re-entry into the ocean so that no one else can access the spacecraft, he was quoted by AP as saying. | Spy satellites typically are disposed of through a controlled re-entry into the ocean so that no one else can access the spacecraft, he was quoted by AP as saying. |
| The military expert believes that shooting the satellite down would create debris that would then re-enter the atmosphere and burn up or hit the ground. | The military expert believes that shooting the satellite down would create debris that would then re-enter the atmosphere and burn up or hit the ground. |
| In his estimate, the satellite weighs about 20,000 pounds (9,000kg) and is the size of a small bus. | In his estimate, the satellite weighs about 20,000 pounds (9,000kg) and is the size of a small bus. |
| It is possible, he adds, that this one died as long as a year ago and is just now getting ready to re-enter the atmosphere. | It is possible, he adds, that this one died as long as a year ago and is just now getting ready to re-enter the atmosphere. |
| Another expert, Jeffrey Richelson of the National Security Archive, said the satellite was probably a photo reconnaissance satellite. | Another expert, Jeffrey Richelson of the National Security Archive, said the satellite was probably a photo reconnaissance satellite. |
| Into the ocean | Into the ocean |
| AP notes that the largest uncontrolled re-entry by a US space agency (Nasa) craft was Skylab. | AP notes that the largest uncontrolled re-entry by a US space agency (Nasa) craft was Skylab. |
| The 78-tonne abandoned space station fell from orbit in 1979. | The 78-tonne abandoned space station fell from orbit in 1979. |
| Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia, the US news agency says. | Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia, the US news agency says. |
| In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000lbs (3,200kg) science satellite hit the Earth's atmosphere. | |
| It rained down over the Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would crash. | It rained down over the Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would crash. |