Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Lowering expectations

Because it would be so embarrassing if they missed it. The Pentagon is preparing the public for a possible miss in its attempt to shoot down a failed satellite.
A Navy heat-seeking missile is getting its first real-world use in an attempt to demolish a crippled U.S. spy satellite before the orbiting craft falls back to Earth.

The targeting of the satellite -- which could come Wednesday night -- is not the mission for which this piece of the Pentagon's missile defense network was intended, however.

The three-stage Navy missile, designated the SM-3, has chalked up a high rate of success in a series of tests since 2002, in each case targeting a short- or medium-range ballistic missile, never a satellite. A hurry-up program to adapt the missile for this anti-satellite mission was completed in a matter of weeks; Navy officials say the changes will be reversed once this satellite is down.
You see, we are not like the evil Chinese who were plotting their satellite shoot down since Confucius. Nope, we are just cobbing up something on the spur of the moment and if we miss its back to the drawing boards and can we have a few more $Billion to get it right, please?

UPDATE: The Pentagon reports a successful interception. You can breathe easier now.

UPPERDATE: Gail Collins has an amusing take on the whole thing.

// posted by montag @ 6:48 AM
Comments:
It would be inconceivable for the U.S. to miss the target. If you can dock a space shuttle to the International Space Station, which requires down to 1" 100% accuracy, you can hit a bus size satellite. It's not like the path of the missile cannot be controlled or the path of the satellite cannot be predicted. What was strange was that we did not try to use laser to destroy the satellite. I thought we were developing a weapon grade laser for sometime and were successful.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 12:00 AM
 
This is in no way related to a toxic gas cloud of hydrazine or a chance it might come down in a populated area.

This is about demonstrating the capability of shooting down a satellite. If, indeed it is a classified satellite, then it is about keeping the technology and capabilities a secret.

Don't even try to say that you are aiming for the fuel tank(s). If it is spinning, or the attitude can't be adjusted, who knows what the orientation would be exactly other than with the sun sensor telemetry.

Besides, most satellites have many thrusters with small tanks in different areas.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 12:15 AM
 

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