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US 'to shoot down spy satellite' US 'to shoot down spy satellite'
(20 minutes later)
The US military is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite due to crash land on Earth in the next few weeks, US news agency AP reports.The US military is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite due to crash land on Earth in the next few weeks, US news agency AP reports.
Pentagon officials are quoted as saying they want to fire a missile from a US Navy ship to destroy the satellite before it enters the atmosphere. Pentagon officials are quoted as saying they want to fire a missile from a US Navy ship to destroy satellite "US 193" before it enters the atmosphere.
Last month, officials said the satellite had lost power and could contain hazardous materials. Correspondents say the satellite has lost power and could contain hazardous materials and secret equipment.
The Pentagon is due to hold a briefing on the subject later.The Pentagon is due to hold a briefing on the subject later.
Secret sensor
The broken satellite was expected to hit the top of the Earth's atmosphere by the end of February or early March.The broken satellite was expected to hit the top of the Earth's atmosphere by the end of February or early March.
It is believed to be the size of a small bus and weigh about 20,000lb (9,000kg). There has been a lot of speculation that the craft contains a high quantity of hydrazine rocket fuel that would cause it to explode on re-entry. It was launched in December 2006, but its computer failed soon afterwards, rendering it uncontrollable.
The BBC's Vincent Dowd says it is believed to be carrying a highly secret imaging sensor which the US Department of Defense in Washington does not want to fall into the wrong hands.
The satellite is believed to be the size of a small bus and weighs about 2,000kg. There has been a lot of speculation that the craft contains a high quantity of hydrazine rocket fuel that would cause it to explode on re-entry.
When news of the spy satellite's problems was first announced last month, the White House said it was monitoring the situation.When news of the spy satellite's problems was first announced last month, 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.
China test
The largest uncontrolled re-entry by a US space agency (Nasa) craft was the abandoned Skylab space station in 1979.
Police in 22 Indian states had been put on full alert but the debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia.
Last year, China carried out a test that destroyed a satellite in space, prompting international alarm and fears of a space arms race.
China was reported to have used a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile to destroy the weather satellite.