I never liked Chicken Little.

I'm pretty sure that Chicken Little would be running around screaming right now, if a chicken could really do that. If you've stayed in touch with any type of media coverage over the past few days, you couldn't help seeing what Chicken Little is so shook up about. We have an errant satellite that is returning to earth, which just happens to still have a nearly full tank of fuel on board.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not a rocket scientist. I did dabble in surface to air nuclear missiles back in my Army days and I had a pretty good understanding back then of the principles of predicted intercept technology. I also attended the Ballistic Missile Staff Officer's Course at Vandenberg Air Force Base during the Carter administration and studied reentry principles for ballistic missiles. I've even done a little research on the removal of propellants from large rocket motors. But I'm not a rocket scientist, so you can take what I have to say with a grain of salt.

There are about 100 metric tons of man-made objects that are returning from space each year and the majority of that reentry is done uncontrolled by man. I found estimates that say from 10 to 40 percent of the mass of reentry objects will reach the earth. Fortunately, about two thirds of the earth's surface is covered by water. Of course, that doesn't help if you are out in a boat, water skiing or swimming somewhere. Since 1959, there has only been one reported instance of a piece of debris hitting a human and that instance hasn't been verified by anyone in any official capacity, like NASA. There wasn't a lawsuit, so I'm pretty sure it's veracity is in question.

But now we have a satellite with a full tank of hydrazine (about 1000 pounds) that is nearing reentry, so we are going to shoot it down. Hydrazine is a nasty character that smells like ammonia and looks like water, which could be deadly in certain circumstances. It is contained in a 40 inch stainless steel sphere, which, in all likelihood, would survive the reentry process, but may rupture on impact. The projected debris field, as of my last TV viewing, was over northern Canada. I don't think we should dump our hazardous trash on our neighbors. Don't worry Chicken Little, our Navy will handle this, I just wish I could see them do it.

Already, the conspiracy theorists are at work. So called "experts" are claiming that this is not necessary and that the government is either trying to prevent some sensitive material from falling into the wrong hands or that we are trying to send a message with this shooting demonstration. This should fill the tabloids and blogs for weeks to come.

Also, up in the sky tonight, check out the lunar eclipse. If the sky is clear enough it should be beautiful.