US 193 to be 'shot down' ?

The good news is that Hydrazine is NOT used in nuclear weapons...........only chemical ones.

So nothing to worry about there.

As if we havent polluted space enough................now we are dumping chemical weapons there.

I don't think they are gonna time the hit
to occur over any particular land mass.
Likelihood is they will time the missile to hit it over the Atlantic.

The offset of this is that if they do not destroy all
of it (graze it) the predictions go out the window
and who knows what could happen.

It would de-orbit quicker (take about 2-3 orbits to re-enter)
along with a stream of debris.

Even if they do hit it 100% it probably will not destroy 100% of it and
we could be in for a few orbits of re-entering frozen Hydrazine & debris.
(whit would no doubt look bad-ass!)

Likelihood is they will time the missile to hit it over the Atlantic.

I think you mean Pacific. It is the largest water mass. When previous satellites (and Mir) were brought down, it was brought down over the Pacific.

Even if they do hit it 100% it probably will not destroy 100% of it andwe could be in for a few orbits of re-entering frozen Hydrazine & debris. (whit would no doubt look bad-ass!)

Ah, even those small bits should burn up harmlessly, and the frozen hydrazine evaporate. You'd need a good solid chunk about the size of a concrete brick to survive (re)entry through the atmosphere, and even at that, but the time is has passed through, it has been reduced in size.

I think you mean Pacific.

No, I ment the Atlantic alright.
They are planning to fire the SM-3 intercept missiles from naval vessels in the North Pacific.
Due to the orbit if they hit, best case is it (or it's bits) re-enter and burn up over the Atlantic.
(so I heard on one of the US tv stations when they interviewed
a spokesman from the Pentagon)

those small bits

yea, assuming they a. hit it and b. all the 'bits' are small.
But what happens if they aint' so small.

This thing is pretty big.

What are the odds of seeing it on the western horizon form here ??

Sorry for the rebuttal Frank, you were right so.

If that be the case (Atlantic), then we might get a view of the event? Or close to? I mean, at favourable times, the SHuttle has been seen passing over Ireland after launch.

Seanie.