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Falling Spy Satellite May Hit North America

Military won't know exact landing spots until 30 minutes to impact

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:38 AM CST
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(Newser) – A defunct and out-of-control spy satellite is falling to Earth, and could scatter debris somewhere in North America in late February or early March, the AP reports. The Air Force says the satellite called US 193, whose central computer failed shortly after its launch in 2006, is big enough that it probably won't all burn up on reentry, and some pieces will hit the ground. But they aren't a security issue, the head of US Northern Command tells the AP.

"It's really just a big thing falling on the ground that we want to make sure we're prepared for." When US 193 begins to burn 59 miles above Earth, it will produce flares visible from the ground. Preparations are under way to estimate how many pieces of the "big thing" will make it through the atmosphere, but the most critical information, like predictions of crash sites, won't be possible until about T-minus 30 minutes.

The spy satellite US 193 may scatter debris over North America as it crashes to Earth, prompting military officials to monitor its fall.
The spy satellite US 193 may scatter debris over North America as it crashes to Earth, prompting military officials to monitor its fall.   (Neo Edmund (Shutter Stock))
The locations that pieces of US 193 are likely to hit cannot be predicted until the satellite starts to break up in Earth's atmosphere, about 30 minutes before they crash into our planet.
The locations that pieces of US 193 are likely to hit cannot be predicted until the satellite starts to break up in Earth's atmosphere, about 30 minutes before they crash into our planet.   (Micha Rosenwirth (Shutter Stock))
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US military • satellite • North America • space debris • Gene Renuart • US 193

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