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US 'to shoot down spy satellite' US 'to shoot down spy satellite'
(about 1 hour 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 satellite "US 193" 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.
Correspondents say the satellite has lost power and could contain hazardous materials and secret equipment.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 was launched in December 2006, but its computer failed soon afterwards, rendering it uncontrollable.It was launched in December 2006, but its computer failed soon afterwards, rendering it uncontrollable.
Secret sensor
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 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.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.
The operation to destroy US 193 will have to try to avoid damage to other satellites.
There is also the chance that after being hit by a specially-adapted missile, large pieces could remain in orbit, posing a threat to other spacecraft, or fall to Earth, AP reports.
Officials say it is not clear where the satellite pieces would land, but debris could be scattered over an area of hundreds of square miles.
China test
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.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.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.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.China was reported to have used a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile to destroy the weather satellite.