Late last month DailyTech reported that a massive U.S. spy satellite had fallen unresponsive and was slowly falling out of orbit towards Earth.  The uncontrolled crash would be the second largest in history at around 5-20 tons, second only to the harmless crash of the 78-ton Skylab into the Indian Ocean in 1979. 

Experts warned that if the spy satellite crashed on or exploded above land it could cause serious damage, partially due to its toxic load of Hydrazine fuel.  Also, security analysts warned that government secrets aboard the spy satellite could be damaging if they fell into the wrong hands.

The U.S. military made a worried announcement informing the public of the satellite's descent last month.  Now they have decided on a course of action, which reads like a movie script -- they will shoot the damaged satellite out of the sky with a missile.  The military under orders from the U.S. executive branch plans to fire two or three SM-3 missiles at the satellite from a U.S. Navy cruiser.  The officials involved spoke on a condition of anonymity, but official word will be released later today.

Government estimates place the satellite at a more conservative 5 tons, contradictory to previous reports, which pegged it to weigh around 20 tons.  Half of the satellite is expected to survive the crash landing, though it is not known where it will strike.  It is expected to scatter debris over several hundred miles.  Thrusters, which helped the satellite maneuver, were fueled by tanks of Hydrazine.  Hydrazine is highly toxic if it comes in contact with the skin or respiratory system. 

The satellite, known in army circles by the designation US 193, was launched by Lockheed Martin in December 2006, and was dead upon entering orbit due to a power loss. Its central computer systems and imaging sensor payload are highly sophisticated and top secret.