Where Will U.S. Spy Satellite Fall?
By now, if you’re even the least technically inclined person, you’ve heard that a large U.S. satellite in orbit above us has lost the ability to control its position and is slowly drifting back to earth. U.S. officials conveyed the information to major news outlets, such as the New York Times and the Associated Press, on Saturday under anonymous conditions. Though the officials were cautious to categorize the nature of the machine, independent space experts quickly pegged it as a crippled spy satellite. “Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation,” Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council, replied when asked about the matter after the news was leaked. “Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause.” Beyond that, he would not comment on the status of the satellite or what measures might be employed to control its descent.
