The United States shot down a former spy satellite
NOUVELOBS.COM | 21.02.2008 | 11: 19
The US Navy shot down a former spy satellite that was threatening to crash onto Earth using a missile fired from a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Worried, Beijing claims information from Washington.
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Toxic fuel
The objective of this unprecedented mission was not only to reach the satellite, but also to destroy a tank on board the craft containing 450kg of hydrozyne, a toxic fuel which could be fatal if inhaled.
The American authorities had declared before that this fuel could represent a danger for the population if it reached an inhabited area. The probability of such a scenario was considered to be insignificant, but the Defense Department had decided to guard against any risk by shooting down the satellite.
Officials said it would take at least a day to be sure the tank was destroyed.
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