U.S. States Missile Hit Spy Satellite

Hey, can we also shoot down the American Idol satellite?

WASHINGTON - A missile launched from a Navy ship struck a dying U.S. spy satellite passing 130 miles over the Pacific on Wednesday, the Pentagon said.

It was not clear whether the operation succeeded in its main goal of destroying a tank aboard the satellite that carried a toxic fuel that U.S. officials said could pose a hazard to humans if it landed in a populated area.

"Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours," the Pentagon said in a written statement.

The USS Lake Erie, armed with an SM-3 missile designed to knock down incoming missiles — not orbiting satellites — launched the attack at 10:26 p.m. EST, according to the Pentagon. It hit the satellite as the spacecraft traveled at more than 17,000 mph. (H/T - AP via Yahoo!)

The USS Lake Erie? The navy couldn't find a better namesake than a pollution-filled lake that borders both Buffalo and Cleveland? Why not name the cruiser the USS Love Canal???