Bush orders satellite shot down

A navy cruiser in the Pacific Ocean will try an unprecedented shoot down of an out-of-control...

A navy cruiser in the Pacific Ocean will try an unprecedented shoot down of an out-of-control, school bus-sized spy satellite loaded with a toxic fuel as it begins its plunge to Earth, national security officials said onThursday.

President Bush made the decision because it was impossible to predict where a tank containing the fuel might land in an uncontrolled descent.

The Pentagon decided to use a modified, ship-fired anti-ballistic missile to make the attempt sometime after February 20 to avoid creating debris that could threaten the space shuttle on its return from the International Space Station, according to a military source.

Gen James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Navy missile will be fired as the satellite re-enters the atmosphere and 8220;has a reasonably high opportunity for success.8221; The Pentagon and NASA have been working on the missile modifications for the last three weeks.

Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey said the decision was based on the fact that the satellite is carrying a substantial amount of a hazardous rocket fuel, hydrazine.

When the pending crash was first announced last month, however, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe minimized the danger, saying that the potential for pieces hitting any populated area was 8220;very small.8221;

Unless it is shot down, the satellite, which has been out of ground communication since its launch more than a year ago, is expected 8220;to make an uncontrolled reentry . . . on or about March 6,8221; according to documents the Bush administration provided to the United Nations Thursday. 8220;At present,8221; said an official notification sent Thursday to countries around the world as well as the UN and NATO, 8220;we cannot predict the entry impact area.8221;

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Officials on Thursday acknowledged that many satellites 8212; some of them much larger 8212; have fallen to earth in the past without harm. But they said the presence of 1,000 pounds of hydrazine 8212; unexpended fuel contained in a 40-inch sphere that was likely to hit the ground intact 8212; led Bush to approve the Pentagon8217;s recommendation to attempt the shootdown.

The announcement set off an immediate debate on defense blogs and among experts. Some said the military was seizing an opportunity to test its controversial missile defense system.