1.
Prodigy, 21, about to become doctor
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials confirmed Monday the USS Erie successfully destroyed the fuel tank of an inoperable spy satellite it shot out of the sky.
The USS Erie fired a missile off the coast of Hawaii last week in order to obliterate the defunct satellite orbiting 130 miles overhead and destroy about 1,000 pounds of frozen toxic hydrazine propellant in the satellite's fuel tank, CNN reported Monday.
"By all accounts this was a successful mission. From the debris analysis, we have a high degree of confidence the satellite's fuel tank was destroyed and the hydrazine has been dissipated," said Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Officials said if it hadn't been blown up, the tank could have survived re-entry and the hydrazine could have dispersed potentially deadly fumes spreading for about 200 yards.
Hydrazine affects the lungs and is similar to chlorine or ammonia.
Military officials were also monitoring about 3,000 pieces of debris, all of which are expected to burn up before reaching the Earth's surface, according to a news release from the Defense Department.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional Top News Stories | |
WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) --
The United States' two most prominent national security advisers during the Cold War wave the caution flag against U.S. intervention in Syria’s civil war.
|
LAS VEGAS, June 4 (UPI) --
Nineteen-year-old Miss Rhode Island USA Olivia Culpo was named Miss USA 2012 at a pageant in Las Vegas.
|
NEW YORK, June 4 (UPI) --
Oil prices held close to $83 per barrel in New York Monday on continued worries of economic stability in Europe.
|
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn., June 4 (UPI) --
A Minnesota fifth-grader who skipped school to meet President Barack Obama with his family received an excuse note signed by the commander-in-chief.
|
| Stories | Photos | People | Comments |
View Caption
