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STATE FIRST RESPONDERS PUT ON ALERT FOR FALLING SATELLITE
Monday, February 18th, 2008 -- 9:43 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
The U.S. Federal Government is taking a decidedly bureaucratic approach to a runaway spy satellite.
In a memo sent to first responder groups around the country, including here in Wisconsin, FEMA warns a malfunctioning 5,000-pound satellite is in "uncontrolled decent" and could come crashing to Earth later this month.
"Of course, we're hoping it's not Clark County," states Clark County Emergency Management Director Jennifer Lord-Kouraichi.
Officials expect the satellite will lose half its mass upon reentry, but will still contain a 1,000-pound fuel tank, which include Hydrazine.
While the odds of the craft striking our country are remote, FEMA is ready.
"They have six task force deployed around the country ready to deploy the moment they know what area the satellite will impact," she says.
Is Clark County ready?
"We have never had an (exercise) tabletop with a threat associated with debris falling from outer space," admits Lord-Kouraichi.
The Pentagon is planning to use its missile defense capabilities to shoot down the satellite, which would eliminate much of the risk.
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