"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:16:38 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

This should be interesting.

The US has decided to shoot down a failed satellite that is expected to
drop
out of orbit in early March.
There is concern that half of the 5,000 lb satellite may remain intact and
hit the earth in a yet unknown area.



To what purpose? Unless they can blow it to pieces or change its
trajectory to their liking what will it accomplish except perhaps test
a "star wars" device.
Should be interesting watching this develop.

--Vic

The concern is that the tanks containing the rocket fuel "hydrazine" are the
components most likely to survive re-entry through the atmosphere.
Hydrazine poses a danger to people if inhaled. By blowing them up, the fuel
will be burned up during re-entry.

Of course, our all our resident NG cynics will now chime in with the "real"
reason.

Eisboch