US Tense as Russian Satellite Full of Toxic Fuel Falls

It may sound like the plot of a Hollywood action script, but it's really happening: the US Air Force is anxiously monitoring the descent of a Russian satellite carrying 3,000 pounds of toxic fuel that has malfunctioned and threatens to careen into the Earth within two weeks.

The "Progress-M 27M" satellite, which was meant to resupply the International Space Station, went out of control on Wednesday at 3:04 a.m., and is being monitored by a US Air Force center at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, reports the Washington Free Beacon.

"Currently, the (center) can confirm that the resupply vehicle is rotating at a rate of 360 degrees every five seconds," read an Air Force statement, indicating how the satellite is out of control.

The paper noted that the satellite regularly passed over the northern US and Canada.

US army commanders are aware of the potential threat of the satellite crashing into populated areas while laden with toxic fuel, according to a defense official who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon. However, he said plans to shoot it down before reentry have not yet been discussed.

The satellite is anticipated to reenter the atmosphere on May 9 around 1:30 p.m.

Igor Komarov, director of the Russian space agency, said the satellite - which was due to bring food and fuel to the Space Station - is a loss. It cost $51 million, and malfunctioned for reasons that remain unclear.

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