Disabled spy satellite may hit Australia

Sydney, Feb 3 (UNI) The disabled spy satellite due to fall on Earth in a few weeks is likely to hit Australia.

The satellite weighing about 9,072kg and about the size of a small bus has an orbit plane that takes it through Australian skies, the Australian media reported.

The Federal Government agency Emergency Management Australia said it had a number of contingency plans in place if the craft, which contains dangerous materials, failed to fully burn on re-entry and hit the nation.

''The plans involved liaising with the emergency services in different states that might be affected and notifying them so they can be ready on the ground,'' The Age quoted Emergency Management Australia spokesman Alistair Wilson as saying.

Though the chances of the craft hitting the nation are minimal, scientists will not be able to determine the exact landing area until a day or two before re-entry, expected in late February or early March, Anntonette Joseph, president of the National Space Society of Australia said.

However, United States has refused to confirm that the failing satellite is the military spy satellite USA 193, owned by America's National Reconnaissance Office, the paper said.

UNI XC SLD AS1416