Russia doubts US plans

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that US military plans to shoot down a damaged spy satellite carrying toxic fuel could be a veiled test of US missiles' capability to down enemy satellites.

The ministry accused the US military of failing to provide "enough arguments" to back its plan to smash the satellite this week with a missile so other countries could assess possible dangers.

"There is an impression that the United States is trying to use the accident with its satellite to test its national anti-missile defense system's capability to destroy other countries' satellites," the ministry said.

The US has insisted that the goal of the operation is simply to protect people.

In a cable sent to all US embassies abroad by the State Department, diplomats were told to draw a clear distinction between the coming attempt and last year's test by China of a missile specifically designed to take out satellites, which was criticized by the US and other countries.

"This particular action is different than any actions that, for example, the Chinese may have taken in testing an anti-satellite weapon," spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Known as US193 -- its military designation -- the satellite was launched in December 2006. Its central computer failed almost immediately afterward, leaving it uncontrollable. It carried a secret imaging sensor.

Left alone, the satellite would be expected to hit Earth early next month. About half of the 2,268kg spacecraft would be expected to survive its blazing descent through the atmosphere and would scatter debris over several hundred kilometers. However, it is carrying fuel called hydrazine that could injure or even kill people who are near it when it hits the ground.

Also see: Future of missile defense may hinge on satellite