Missile hit is reported on errant spy satellite

Second, elements within the Defense Department want to test U.S. capabilities at a moment when they can avoid the wrath of Congress, which has shown bipartisan opposition to such tests. "Congress has been pretty silent when faced with a public safety rationale," Krepon said.

Officially, the Pentagon does not have an anti-satellite weapons system, and it proved its ability to destroy a satellite in low-Earth orbit decades ago. "There's really no need to go back to that data point," said Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Between 1977 and 1988, the U.S. Air Force Space Systems Command and ATV Aerospace designed, built and tested an air-launched missile intended to demolish satellites orbiting within 350 miles of Earth. The three-stage missile was carried by a modified F-15 jet fighter.

On Sept. 13, 1985, the fighter took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, climbed to 80,000 feet and released the missile. Its target was an active, 1,800-pound scientific satellite called Solwind P78-1, orbiting 290 miles above Earth, according to company histories. The missile homed in on the satellite at a closing speed of 15,000 mph and destroyed it on impact.

The test was attacked by arms control advocates, who called it a violation of a U.S.-Soviet treaty prohibiting the testing of anti-satellite weapons. The Pentagon nevertheless planned to prepare 20 aircraft for use in anti-satellite operations. But Congress balked, and the program was ended.

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