The attempt to "shoot down" (actually to impact and shatter) a
deorbiting U.S. satellite is reminiscent of the return of a Soviet
Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite, Cosmos 954, in 1978.
The Cosmos had retained its reactor core, presenting a clear and
present danger as it hurtled toward the atmosphere. On January 24
it re-entered on a southwest-northeast track that displayed a fiery
trail from Hawaii to the western hemisphere.
It was nighttime in the Northwest Territories of Canada when it
came in, visible from Yellowknife, Snowdrift, and beyond.
Yellowknife resident Marie Ruman recalled, "I could see dozens of
parts...each had a long bright tail..."
Pretty, but potentially deadly. The returning missive spread a
370-mile-long path of radioactivity from Great Slave Lake on up to
the Thelon Wilderness.
Six campers adventuring near the Arctic Circle came across some
of the remnants not knowing what they were but subsequently got
clean bills of health from radiation health experts.
The joint U.S.-Canadian effort to find the cosmos pieces was
named Operation Morning Light.
A few pieces were eventually found. For the effort the Canadian
government billed the Soviet Union for $6,041,174.70 plus
additional compensation for unpredictable expense. The Soviets
eventually paid $3 million.
A few people will be reminded of Cosmos 954 when the U.S. Navy
tries to intercept the current wayward orbiter.
