WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. intelligence satellite has lost power and could fall to Earth sometime in February or March, a government official said on Saturday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the spy satellite can no longer be controlled and it was not known where on the planet it might come down.
"Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause."
In recent years, NASA has safely brought defunct satellites back to Earth. In 2000, the space agency maneuvered the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
(Reporting by Deborah Zabarenko; Editing by Eric Walsh)
A U.S. official confirmed that the spy satellite, which lost power and no longer can be controlled, was launched in December 2006 and could weigh as much as 10,000 pounds. It carried a sophisticated and secret imaging sensor but the satellite's central computer failed shortly after launch.
Renuart added that, "As it looks like it might re-enter into the North American area," then the U.S. military along with the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will either have to deal with the impact or assist Canadian or Mexican authorities.
If I have my way, it will crash land on the Pentagon.
Yes, it does count as... an act of God.
The Ninth Scribe
I did a quick calculation. The surface footprint of the Pentagon is about 1.3 km2. The surface of the Earth is about 510,000,000 km2
If we assume the satellite had an equal probability of hitting anywhere on the planet (not really true) then the probability of it hitting the Pentagon would be about 1.3/510,000,000,......2.5 x 10**-9. That is a very low order of probability. If it hits the Pentagon, I am really going to be impressed.
I did a quick calculation. The surface footprint of the Pentagon is about 1.3 km2. The surface of the Earth is about 510,000,000 km2
If we assume the satellite had an equal probability of hitting anywhere on the planet (not really true) then the probability of it hitting the Pentagon would be about 1.3/510,000,000,......2.5 x 10**-9. That is a very low order of probability. If it hits the Pentagon, I am really going to be impressed.
Cool... I'll take those odds. And put me down for the Patriots for a 9 point lead too
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