our networks
the home for speed & sport, motorized DIYers, and cool car collectionstrue stories of survival, justice and the human spiritscience channeldiscovery healthdiscovery channel
shop now
 

Satellite Shootdown

It's the U.S.A. vs. a deadly satellite. Guess who wins.
    print
 

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Andrew Jackson initiates launch sequence on a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) from the Combat Information Center aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie.
 
In late 2006, a United States top-secret spy satellite was launched into space, but shortly after reaching orbit the technicians lost contact and the satellite started to descend back toward Earth.

SATELLITE SHOOTDOWN explores the multi-agency operation, code named Operation Burnt Frost, to destroy the satellite before it potentially crashed to Earth with a half-ton fuel tank full of toxic gas.

Coordination was required from the Department of Defense, the Missile Defense Agency, NASA and several defense contractors, who all rapidly mobilized for this unique operation to intercept and destroy the satellite using an SM3 missile launched from the U.S.S. Lake Erie.

SATELLITE SHOOTDOWN examines the technology and science required for Operation Burnt Frost to be a success and features recently declassified footage of the missile intercepting the satellite.
 
advertisement

What's on Now

Nov 24,
6:00 pm
60 min(s)
Ultimate Weapons
Sniper Rifles
 
Maximum reach makes the Sniper Rifle an Ultimate Weapon. With the
Nov 24,
7:00 pm
60 min(s)
Great Planes
F-104 Starfighter
 
The F-104 Starfighter was a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force fighte
Nov 24,
8:00 pm
60 min(s)
Great Planes
SR-71 Blackbird
 
Record breaking has been the public face of one of history's most
Nov 24,
9:00 pm
60 min(s)
Greatest Ever
Helicopters
 
The greatest helicopters are debated and ranked. Our team tests t
Nov 24,
10:00 pm
60 min(s)
Top Tens
Top Ten Helicopters
 
Revel in this spectacular count down of the most innovative and e
 

Shop Discovery

 
newsletter
 
Ads by Google
 
SITE SEARCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS
CREDITS U.S. Navy Photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Hight
DISCOVERY SITES Discovery Channel / TLC / Animal Planet / Discovery Health / Science Channel / Planet Green / Discovery Kids / Military Channel /
Discovery News / Investigation Discovery / HD Theater / Turbo / FitTV / HowStuffWorks / TreeHugger / Petfinder / PetVideo / Discovery Education
SHOP Military Channel Store / DVDs & Books / Custom Gear / Best Sellers / Collectible Models / Accessories
CUSTOMER SERVICE Viewer Relations / Free Newsletters / RSS
CORPORATE Discovery Communications, Inc / Advertising / Careers @ Discovery / Privacy Policy / Visitor Agreement
ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of September 10, 2008. To see the new policy, click here. Questions? See the policy for the contact information.