Looks like Thursday is going to be the big day...

for the "clean kill".

And it looks like Pearl Harbor based Aegis Cruiser, and "intercept standout", the USS Lake Erie is going to get the shot. How cool is that. Happy Hunting, boys!

"If we shoot and get a direct hit, that's a clean kill and we're in good shape,"...

The U.S. Navy will likely attempt to shoot down a faulty spy satellite Thursday, the day after the space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to land, two officials told CNN Monday.

The officials -- who spoke on condition of anonymity because much of the planning remains classified -- said the idea is to leave as much time as possible so a second attempt could be made if necessary.

The Navy plans to fire at the satellite as it enters Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 150 miles.


Without any intervention, Pentagon officials have said they believe the satellite would come down on its own in early March.

The option of striking the satellite with a missile launched from an Aegis cruiser was decided upon by President Bush after consultation with several government and military officials and aerospace experts, said Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said there's nothing the military can do to make the outcome worse.

"If we miss, nothing changes. If we shoot and barely touch it, the satellite is just barely in orbit" and would still burn up somewhat in the atmosphere, Griffin said.

"If we shoot and get a direct hit, that's a clean kill and we're in good shape," he added.