Attempted shootdown of dead US satellite may happen Wednesday

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The US Defense Department says the military's attempt to shoot down a wayward US spy satellite as it falls toward Earth could happen as early as Wednesday night, but no final decision on timing has been made. Press secretary Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that senior military officers, including the head of the US Strategic Command, are evaluating the situation and will advise Defense Secretary Robert Gates when the best time will be to carry it out. The plan is to fire a missile that would release a "kinetic kill vehicle," a non-explosive device on a path that would enable it to collide with the satellite and destroy the spacecraft and its components by force of impact.