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USA-193

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Template:Launching/SM

Template:Infobox Spacecraft USA 193, also known as NRO launch 21 (NROL-21 or simply L-21) is an American military spy satellite.[1] Owned by the National Reconnaissance Office, the craft's precise function and purpose are classified. This was the first launch conducted under contract to the United Launch Alliance.[2]

Launch data

Malfunction and orbital decay

Although launch and insertion into orbit were successful, the satellite lost contact with the ground within hours.[9]

In late January 2008, reports from anonymous U.S. officials indicated that a U.S. spy satellite, later confirmed as USA 193,[9] was in a deteriorating orbit and was expected to crash into the Earth within weeks.[10][11] This came as no surprise to amateur satellite watchers, who had been predicting the deorbit of the satellite for some time.[12]

Hazardous materials on-board

FEMA reports indicated that the satellite contains the hazardous materials hydrazine, and beryllium,[13] though there was also some speculation that the satellite might have a "nuclear" power core,[14] i.e. a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. THe FEMA report indicates otherwise.

On January 29, 2008 an Associated Press story quoted a U.S. Air Force general as saying that contingency plans were being made since intact pieces of the satellite "might re-enter into the North American area".[15]

Destruction plans

Planning for the destruction of USA 193 with a missile reportedly began on January 4, 2008, with President Bush approving the plan on February 12.[16][17]

On February 14, 2008, U.S. officials announced the plan to destroy USA 193 before atmospheric reentry, stating that the intention was "saving or reducing injury to human life". They said that "1,000 pounds of frozen toxic hydrazine propellant" were on board, which if it fell to Earth "could spread a toxic cloud roughly the size of two football fields".[18] General James Cartwright confirmed that the United States Navy was preparing to launch an SM-3 missile to destroy the satellite, at an altitude of 130 nautical miles, shortly before it entered Earth's atmosphere.[9] The USS Lake Erie was named as the ship firing the missile.[18]

On 18 February, a NOTAM was issued, announcing the closure of airspace west of Maui on 21 February between 02:30 and 05:00 GMT. USA 193 will pass over the closed airspace at around 03:30 GMT. It is believed that the first attempt may occur at that time.[19][20] On 19 February, another NOTAM was issued for the same times on 22 February, which is believed to be for a backup shot, in case the first one is unsuccessful, or is scrubbed.[21] A NOTAM for a third attempt at the same times on 23 February was issued on 20 February.[22]

Political issues

The cost of the operation has been estimated at between $40 million and $60 million.[16] U.S. officials denied that the action was intended to prevent sensitive technology falling into foreign hands,[9] and also denied that it was a response to the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test.[23]

Although the U.S. had objected strongly to the earlier Chinese test of an anti-satellite weapon (or ASAT) which created a large amount of space debris, U.S. officials said there was "no parallel" with that test, as USA 193 was in a much lower orbit, and debris from its destruction would deorbit much sooner, probably within weeks.[9][24]

However, the Russian defence ministry accused the U.S. of using the hydrazine worries as a cover for a test of an ASAT, and noted that extraordinary measures had never before been needed to deal with the many spacecraft that had fallen to Earth.[24] The New York Times had already paraphrased Johndroe as stating that 328 objects had deorbited (controlled and uncontrolled) in the previous 5-year period.[25] U.S. officials maintained that the large quantity of hydrazine on board made USA 193 a unique case.[9]

Catalogue IDs

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c National Space Science Data Center: USA 193 spacecraft data
  2. ^ Metro Denver: United Launch Alliance set for takeoff
  3. ^ Jonathan's Space Report: No. 575 (2006 Dec 26)
  4. ^ Air Force Space Command: Vandenberg successfully launches Delta II
  5. ^ National Space Science Data Center: USA 193 orbit data
  6. ^ Spaceflight Now - US plans to fire missile at falling spy satellite
  7. ^ Ted Molczan (2008-02-11). "TJM obs of 2008 Feb 11 UTC; USA 193 elements". satobs.org.
  8. ^ Ted Molczan (2008-02-19). "Updated elements of USA 193". satobs.org.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Pentagon news briefing of February 14, 2008 (video, transcript): although no name for the satellite is given, the launch date of 2006-12-14 is stated
  10. ^ BBC: Satellite could plummet to Earth
  11. ^ New York Times: U.S. Spy Satellite, Power Gone, May Hit Earth
  12. ^ Ted Molczan (2007-01-27). "USA 193 elements from observations". satobs.org.
  13. ^ "FEMA":[1]
  14. ^ The Observer: US warns out-of-control spy satellite is plunging to Earth
  15. ^ New York Times: AF General: Spy Satellite Could Hit US
  16. ^ a b CNN: Attempt to shoot down spy satellite to cost up to $60 million
  17. ^ Associated Press: Satellite Shootdown Plan Began in Jan.
  18. ^ a b "Officials: U.S. to try to shoot down errant satellite". CNN. February 14, 2008.
  19. ^ Ted Molczan (2008-02-18). "USA 193 NOTAM released?". satobs.org.
  20. ^ CNN: U.S. issues notice on downing of satellite
  21. ^ John Locker (2008-02-19). "New NOTAM..........Surface to Unlimited..USA 193 !". satobs.org.
  22. ^ John Locker (2008-02-20). "Next NOTAM issued re 193". satobs.org.
  23. ^ "Pentagon plans to shoot down disabled satellite". Reuters.
  24. ^ a b BBC: US spy satellite plan 'a cover'
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYTimes-2008-02-05 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ a b CelesTrak: SATCAT search
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