We are now getting skeptical reports from media sources, such as BBC News and Wired that the administrations justifications for shooting down the dead surveillance satellite are a 6 pounds of fertilizer in a 5 pound bag.
The justification is that it carries 400 l of UDMH (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) fuel for maneuvering is a threat to life and limb.
The fact is that UDMH is about as benign a propellant as is used in rocketry (it's still nasty), and the effected area would be on the order of two football fields, but that is only for irritant, not life threatening effects.
One explanation is that the, "MDA [Missile Defense Agency] is always looking for ways to pimp their systems", and another is that this is actually an anti-satellite (ASAT) test in response to the Chinese test last year.
My guess is a combination of both, and that Bush and His Evil Minions&trade intend to create an arms race in this area, so as to further constrain a future administration.
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