NDTV

Washington Feb 21: A missile launched from a Navy ship successfully struck a dying US spy satellite passing 130 miles (210 kilometers) over the Pacific, a defense official said. Full details were not immediately available.

It happened just after 10:30 p.m. EST Wednesday (0330 GMT Thursday).

Two officials said the missile was launched successfully. One official, who is close to the process, said it hit the target. He said details on the results were not immediately known.

The goal in this first-of-its-kind mission for the Navy was not just to hit the satellite but to obliterate a tank aboard the spacecraft carrying 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) of a toxic fuel called hydrazine.

US officials have said the fuel would pose a potential health hazard to humans if it landed in a populated area.

Although the odds of that were small even if the Pentagon had chosen not to try to shoot down the satellite, it was determined that it was worth trying to eliminate even that small chance.

Officials said it might take a day or longer to know for sure if the toxic fuel was blown up.