U.S. To Shoot Down Falling Spy Satellite

It's a good idea. We surely do not want the satellite landing somewhere not favorable to the United States. Blow it up before it enters the atmosphere and the smaller pieces will probably burn up in re-entry.

The Pentagon is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite expected to hit the Earth in early March, The Associated Press has learned.

U.S. officials said Thursday that the option preferred by the Bush administration will be to fire a missile from a U.S. Navy cruiser, and shoot down the satellite before it enters Earth's atmosphere.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the options will not be publicly discussed until a later Pentagon briefing.

The disabled satellite is expected to hit the Earth the first week of March. Officials said the Navy would likely shoot it down before then, using a special missile modified for the task.