Aero-News: Quote of the Day

ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues.

Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking.

Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day.

Let us hear from you, folks!

Aero-News Quote of the Day

"Although the chances of an impact in a populated area are small, the potential consequences would be of enough concern to consider mitigating actions. Therefore, the President has decided to take action to mitigate the risk to human lives by engaging the non-functioning satellite."

Source: From a Defense Department release Thursday, stating the Pentagon plans to shoot down an errant spy satellite within the next few weeks. Ostensibly, the plan is aimed at protecting those on the ground from hazardous materials onboard the satellite, including its nearly-full hydrazine fuel tank... but the plan has two additional benefits to the military, as well. Destroying the satellite will prevent sensitive technology onboard -- specifically, a top-secret imaging sensor -- from potentially falling into the hands of China, Russia, or Iran -- as no one is really sure where debris from the deorbiting satellite would land. It will also give the US military its first chance to test a planned missile defense system under real-world conditions.

FMI: www.pentagon.mil, www.globalsecurity.org