Satellite Shootdown

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

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.