Inoperable satellite destroyed by United States
An inoperable U.S. satellite was struck Saturday by a U.S. Navy missile, military officials said. The destruction of the satellite needed to be done after the space shuttle Atlantis had landed, and the weather had to be perfect, officials said. CNN
The spy satellite was orbiting some 150 miles from Earth, and was destroyed in order to ensure that it did not fall to Earth and cause damage from toxic wastes, government officials said. CNN
Russia says that the missile may be a veiled test of anti-satellite technology under the U.S. defense system. BBC
The launch is also suspected to be a response to military rival China's destruction of a satellite last year, which was denied by U.S. military officials. CNN