Keywords: SM-3 climbs into the sky for a satellite destruction mission.jpg 2008-02-20 - A single modified tactical RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 SM-3 launches from the U S Navy AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Erie CG-70 successfully impacting a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers 133 nautical miles over the Pacific Ocean as it traveled in space at more than 17 000 mph President George W Bush decided to bring down the satellite because of the likelihood that the satellite could release hydrazine fuel upon impact possibly in populated areas http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 55404 2008-02-20 United States Navy PD-USGov-Military-Navy Launches of RIM-161 Standard SM-3 Aboard USS Lake Erie CG-70 NROL-21 |