DoD Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite (Forwarded)

Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C.

Media contact:
+1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2008

No. 0139-08

DoD Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite

A network of land-, air-, sea- and spaced-based sensors confirms that the
U.S. military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office
satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the earth's
atmosphere.

At approximately 10:26 p.m. EST today, a U.S. Navy AEGIS warship, the USS
Lake Erie (CG-70), fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3
(SM-3) hitting the satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical
miles) over the Pacific Ocean as it traveled in space at more than 17,000
mph. USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS Russell (DDG-59) were also part of the
task force.

The objective was to rupture the fuel tank to dissipate the approximately
1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a
danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere.
Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available
within 24 hours.

Due to the relatively low altitude of the satellite at the time of the
engagement, debris will begin to re-enter the earths atmosphere immediately.
Nearly all of the debris will burn up on reentry within 24-48 hours and the
remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days.

DoD will conduct a press briefing at 7 a.m. EST to provide further
information related to the operation. The briefing can be viewed live on
www.Defenselink.com through the Pentagon Channel.