US military prepares to shoot down errant satellite
In an operation that could last just minutes from launch to intercept, US Navy officials hope a missile fired from a ship and traveling at six times the speed of sound will hit a bus-sized satellite about 220km above Earth with a nonexplosive "kinetic kill vehicle."
The Navy plans to launch a missile from a cruiser near Hawaii to destroy the satellite carrying fuel that defence officials believe could be hazardous to humans.
The Aegis ballistic-missile defense system has successfully intercepted incoming missiles in 12 of 14 test flights, according to a Navy document.
US missile hits 'toxic satellite'
Russia suspects the operation was a cover to test anti-satellite technology under the US missile defence programme.
The US denies the operation was a response to an anti-satellite test carried out by China last year, which prompted fears of a space arms race.
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