DATE=8/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236967
TITLE=SPY ROCKET BLOWS UP  (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A ONE-BILLION-DOLLAR U-S SPY SATELLITE EXPLODED SHORTLY 
AFTER LAUNCH (EARLY WEDNESDAY) FROM CAPE CANAVERAL.  JIM RANDLE 
REPORTS AN EXPERT SAYS THE LARGE, HEAVY SATELLITE WAS DESIGNED TO
EAVESDROP ON COMMUNICATIONS ON EARTH. 

TEXT:  THE U-S AIR FORCE SAYS A LARGE UN-MANNED ROCKET BEGAN TO 
BREAK UP 42-SECONDS AFTER LAUNCH.  THEY SAY SAFETY OFFICERS 
DESTROYED THE ROCKET TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE SOMEONE ON THE GROUND
WOULD BE HURT BY FALLING DEBRIS.

NO DEATHS OR INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

THE AIR FORCE SAYS A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT SCIENTISTS AND EXPERTS 
WILL STUDY THE ACCIDENT TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG, AND WHAT SHOULD 
BE DONE DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE.

U-S OFFICIALS WILL SAY VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE ROCKET'S PAYLOAD, 
BUT A WELL-KNOWN EXPERT OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS A LARGE 
SATELLITE DESIGNED TO EAVESDROP ON ALL SORTS OF COMMUNICATIONS.  
JOHN PIKE STUDIES SPACE AND INTELLIGENCE ISSUES FOR THE 
FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS.  HE SAYS THIS WAS A 'VORTEX' 
CLASS SATELLITE. 

                      /// PIKE ACT  000 ///

         THEY HAVE AN ANTENNA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD,
         COST ABOUT A BILLION-DOLLARS APIECE, AND ARE USED FOR 
         EVERYTHING FROM MONITORING RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, TO 
         LOCATING AIR DEFENSE RADARS AND TRACKING MISSILE TESTS.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. PIKE SAYS SUCH 'SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE' IS THE MOST VALUABLE 
KIND OF INFORMATION THAT SPY AGENCIES COLLECT.  HE SAYS THERE ARE
ABOUT THREE-DOZEN U-S SPY SATELLITES IN ORBIT RIGHT NOW.  TEN OF 
THEM TRACK SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE AND A DOZEN MORE WATCH SHIPS FOR 
THE U-S NAVY.  MR. PIKE SAYS THE REMAINDER USE LIGHT OR RADAR TO 
MAKE DETAILED IMAGES OF ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUND FAR BELOW.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

12-Aug-98 12:06 PM EDT (1606 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.