Defunct spy satellite falling from orbit

[Rowdy]

Defunct Spy Satellite Falling From Orbit
Jan 26 03:27 PM US/Eastern
By EILEEN SULLIVAN
Associated Press Writer
7 Comments
WASHINGTON (AP) - A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and propulsion and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday.

The satellite, which no longer be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.

"Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. "Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause."

He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time.

A senior government official said that lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information

[yesfan]

By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 13 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and propulsion and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday.


The satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.

"Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. "Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause."

He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time.

A senior government official said that lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.

The largest uncontrolled re-entry by a NASA spacecraft was Skylab, the 78-ton abandoned space station that fell from orbit in 1979. Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia.

In 2000, NASA engineers successfully directed a safe de-orbit of the 17-ton Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, using rockets aboard the satellite to bring it down in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.

In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound science satellite smacked into the Earth's atmosphere and rained down over the Persian Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would plummet.

[CowboyFan74]

Cool, to bad they won't let the public track it with something like google

[arglebargle]

No guarantee that one of those missle shield missles could actually hit it. I hope it does not end up being a 'dirty satellite'.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Word is that Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and last but not least Donald Sutherland are currently on standby.

[iceberg]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

Word is that Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and last but not least Donald Sutherland are currently on standby.

i wanna be a space cowboy...

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

Word is that Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and last but not least Donald Sutherland are currently on standby.

Tommy Lee Jones is dead on the moon.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Tommy Lee Jones is dead on the moon.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PosterChild]

Originally Posted by iceberg

i wanna be a space cowboy...

I wanna be the gangster of love...

[CowboyFan74]

Originally Posted by PosterChild

I wanna be the gangster of love...

I wanna be an AirBorne Ranger... I wanna live the life of danger...

1st mile feels good
2nd mile no sweat



WHOA I just had a flashback

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by ELDudearino

I wanna be an AirBorne Ranger... I wanna live the life of danger...

1st mile feels good
2nd mile no sweat



WHOA I just had a flashback

Fixed that for you.

[CowboyFan74]

Got that from the Breakfast Club movie..

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

Word is that Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and last but not least Donald Sutherland are currently on standby.

Whew, that's a relief...

Wait a sec, no Chuck Norris??!? He should be on that mission, for sure; he'd just roundhouse kick that sucker into a whole new trajectory, make it miss Earth altogether...

Them boys at NASA are fallin' down on the job... my tax dollars are being wasted...

That has to be the first time that's ever happened...

[iceberg]

Originally Posted by ELDudearino

I wanna be an AirBorne Ranger... I wanna live the life of danger...

1st mile feels good
2nd mile no sweat



WHOA I just had a flashback

breakfast club. : )

[iceberg]

Originally Posted by ELDudearino

Got that from the Breakfast Club movie..

DOH! and i guessed before i read!