It blowed up good

Looks like we can “shoot down” near-Earth-orbit satellites[*1] with the best of ’em:

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The missile that struck a rogue US spy satellite in space carrying toxic fuel reduced it to football-sized chunks, and the Pentagon said it had a “high degree of confidence” its fuel tank was destroyed, officials said Thursday.

General James Cartwright told reporters it would be 24-48 hours before a full confirmation would be available on the fuel tank.

The Defense Department has a “high degree of confidence we hit the tank” but “we can’t say for sure,” at this time, he said.