US: Missile strike on satellite 'could happen tomorrow'

The US military’s attempt to shoot down a wayward spy satellite as it falls towards Earth could happen tomorrow night, officials said tonight.

Press secretary Geoff Morrell said that senior military officers, including the head of the US Strategic Command, are evaluating the situation and will advise US Defence Secretary Robert Gates when the best time will be to carry it out.

The plan is to fire a missile that would release a “kinetic kill vehicle,” a non-explosive device on a path that would enable it to collide with the satellite and destroy the spacecraft and its components by force of impact.

The satellite is orbiting about 130 miles above Earth. It is carrying an almost-full tank of rocket fuel so toxic it would pose a threat to human health should the satellite crash in a populated area.