It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but apparently in the name of national security, the US is set to shoot down a satellite by firing a missile into space.  According to a report from the Associated Press (via MSNBC), President Bush has ordered the Navy to shoot down a broken spy satellite before it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere in an effort to minimize risk to humans.  From the report:

“Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the same briefing that the "window of opportunity" for such a shootdown, presumably to be launched from a Navy ship, will open in the next three or four days and last for seven or eight days. He did not say whether the Pentagon has decided on an exact launch date.

Cartwright said this will be an unprecedented effort; he would not say exactly what are the odds of success.

"This is the first time we've used a tactical missile to engage a spacecraft," Cartwright said.”