view the spy satellite before it views you

Actually the out-of-control piece of space junk can't see you now--it's said to have malfunctioned almost as soon as it big-brothered its way into orbit in Dec 2006.

Here's a rather cool alert from SpaceWeather:

Space Weather News for Feb 14, 2008


Malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 has been in the news lately because of expectations that it will reenter Earth's atmosphere in March and turn into a spectacular fireball. Reentry has not yet begun, but sky watchers are already noticing the satellite as it zips over Europe and the United States shining as brightly as a first or second magnitude star.

Typical photos are shown on today's edition of SpaceWeather.com.

In fact, USA 193 may never reenter--at least not in one piece. Today, the Pentagon announced it will attempt to blast the satellite with a missile before its orbit decays. This would lessen the chances of dangerous satellite debris and fuel reaching the ground while increasing the population of space junk in low-Earth orbit.

Would you like to see USA 193 with your own eyes?

It is about to make a series of evening appearances over many US towns and cities, beginning this weekend and continuing until the Pentagon intervenes. Flyby timetables may be found at Heavens Above and you can also receive telephone and email alerts when the satellite is about to fly over your backyard by subscribing to SpaceWeather PHONE #


So what happens if the Pentagon misses? Besides the embarrassment, I mean! Just because you can (send more crapola into space) doesn't mean you should.

Enter the trigger happy Pentagon to the rescue: a missile is on the ready and Pentagon brass say that if the first attempt fails, they'll figure out something else. Cheney is a big spy satellite fan--perhaps ole Dead-Eye should be kept on stand by. Stoopider things have happened.