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ridgeacre · 31st January 2008, 11:24 PM

US prepares for satellite impact

The US military is preparing for the possibility that a large spy satellite expected to fall to Earth in late February or early March could hit North America.

Air Force General Gene Renuart, the head of US Northern Command, said it was unlikely that the satellite would burn up on re-entry to Earth's atmosphere.

"We're aware that this satellite is out there," Gen Renuart said. "We're aware it is a fairly substantial size. And we know there is at least some percentage that it could land on ground as opposed to in the water."

The satellite was launched in 2006 but can no longer be controlled and was declared a total loss by the Pentagon in 2007.

Gen Renuart added that, "as it looks like it might re-enter into the North American area," that the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency would deal with the impact or, if necessary, help the Canadian or Mexican authorities.

Gen Renuart said: "I'm not aware that we have a security issue.

"It's really just a big thing falling on the ground that we want to make sure we're prepared for."

In the past 50 years of space exploration, 17,000 manmade objects have re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

31st January 2008, 11:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
ridgeacre Talk Angling Senior Member Talk Angling Life Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Bromwich Posts: 1,063	Want to buy a crash helmet US prepares for satellite impact The US military is preparing for the possibility that a large spy satellite expected to fall to Earth in late February or early March could hit North America. Air Force General Gene Renuart, the head of US Northern Command, said it was unlikely that the satellite would burn up on re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. "We're aware that this satellite is out there," Gen Renuart said. "We're aware it is a fairly substantial size. And we know there is at least some percentage that it could land on ground as opposed to in the water." The satellite was launched in 2006 but can no longer be controlled and was declared a total loss by the Pentagon in 2007. Gen Renuart added that, "as it looks like it might re-enter into the North American area," that the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency would deal with the impact or, if necessary, help the Canadian or Mexican authorities. Gen Renuart said: "I'm not aware that we have a security issue. "It's really just a big thing falling on the ground that we want to make sure we're prepared for." In the past 50 years of space exploration, 17,000 manmade objects have re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.