[meteorite-list] DoD To Engage Decaying Satellite

[Ron Baalke]

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 14, 2008

No. 0125-08

DoD To Engage Decaying Satellite

An uncontrollable U.S. experimental satellite which was launched in December
2006 is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere between the end of February
and early March. Because the satellite was never operational, analysis
indicate that approximately 2,500 pounds (1134 kgs) of satellite mass will
survive reentry, including 1,000 pounds (453 kgs) of propellant fuel
(hydrazine), a hazardous material.
 
Although the chances of an impact in a populated area are small, the
potential consequences would be of enough concern to consider mitigating
actions. Therefore, the President has decided to take action to mitigate the
risk to human lives by engaging the non-functioning satellite. Because our
missile defense system is not designed to engage satellites, extraordinary
measures have been taken to temporarily modify three sea-based tactical
missiles and three ships to carry out the engagement.
 
Based on modeling and analysis, our officials have high confidence that the
engagement will be successful. As for when this engagement will occur, we
will determine the optimal time, location, and geometry for a successful
engagement based on a number of factors. As the satellite's path continues
to decay, there will be a window of opportunity between late February and
early March to conduct this engagement. The decision to engage the satellite
has to be made before a precise prediction of impact location is available.
 
Contact with hydrazine is hazardous. Direct contact with skin or eyes,
ingestion or inhalations from hydrazine released from the tank upon impact
could result in immediate danger. If this operation is successful, the
hydrazine will then no longer pose a risk to humans.
 
The U.S. government has been and continues to track and monitor this
satellite. Various government agencies are planning for the reentry of the
satellite. In the event the engagement is not successful, all appropriate
elements of the U.S. Government are working together to explore options to
mitigate the danger to humans and to ensure that all parties are properly
prepared to respond. In the unlikely event satellite pieces land in a
populated area, people are strongly advised to avoid the impact area until
trained hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams are able to properly dispose of
any remaining hydrazine.