spacetoday.net: Astronauts unconcerned with satellite intercept plans

Posted: Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 6:03 AM ET (1103 GMT)

Astronauts on board the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis said Saturday they are not concerned with US military plans to hit a failed spy satellite in a decaying orbit with a missile, despite the potential for debris generation from such an event. The intercept, announced Thursday, will not take place until Atlantis returns to Earth on Wednesday, so the crew of STS-122 said they had no reason to be concerned with the attempt. The crew of the ISS said they were also not worried about the plans, because the satellite will be well below the altitude of the ISS when the intercept is made and that most of the resulting debris should quickly reenter. ISS and shuttle crews are wrapping up their work on the station, with hatches separating the two closing on Sunday in advance of the shuttle's departure on Monday.