Science & Technology

Navy Set to Shoot Down Failing Spy Satellite

By David Kestenbaum, Melissa Block

Published February 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM PST

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

Now that space shuttle Atlantis has safely returned to Earth, the Pentagon plans to shoot down a failing spy satellite as early as Wednesday night.

The Navy will launch a missile in an attempt to destroy the satellite before it crashes to Earth.

President Bush approved the mission last week out of concerns that toxic fuel on the satellite could be potentially harmful.

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David Kestenbaum

David Kestenbaum is a correspondent for NPR, covering science, energy issues and, most recently, the global economy for NPR's multimedia project Planet Money. David has been a science correspondent for NPR since 1999. He came to journalism the usual way — by getting a Ph.D. in physics first.

Melissa Block

As special correspondent and guest host of NPR's news programs, Melissa Block brings her signature combination of warmth and incisive reporting. Her work over the decades has earned her journalism's highest honors, and has made her one of NPR's most familiar and beloved voices.

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