Satellite News

There are indications that the U.S. Navy will try to shoot down the failed NRO-L21 (USA 193) satellite sooner rather than later – possibly just hours after space shuttle Atlantis has landed on 20 February.

At a press conference, U.S. officials gave a few more details regarding the planned shooting down of the failed NRO-L21 (USA 193) satellite.

After a few weeks of leaking hints to selected media, the U.S. Department of Defense has now officially confirmed it would try to shoot down its failed experimental spy satellite NRO-L21 (USA 193).

The public apparently is slowly being prepared for a special anti-satellite test the United States may perform. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, officials are studying the possibility of shooting down the errant USA 193 (NRO-L21) spy satellite.

The Russian Ekspress-AM22 satellite launched in 2003 may be in trouble, according to unconfirmed reports.

Thales Alenia Space announced that further to the decision of RASCOMSTAR-QAF, the RASCOM-QAF1 satellite has been placed in its final geostationary orbit at 2.85 degrees East.

A U.S. military official speaking under the condition of anonymity has confirmed that the spy satellite soon to re-enter the atmosphere is indeed NRO-L21 (USA 193).

The half-official announcement last Saturday regarding the impending re-entry of a U.S. spy satellite into the Earth’s atmosphere created a deluge of media reports over the weekend. Their content ranged from “we’re about to be hit by [a satellite] the size of a bus” (The Scotsman) to “Why the spy satellite won’t fall on your head” (New Scientist).