Spy satellite shot down by U.S.

A U.S. Navy warship has reportedly shot down a malfunctioning spy satellite. The mission was carried out to prevent its toxic fuel tanks from crashing to Earth. It's unclear whether the operation succeeded in destroying the tanks.

The satellite was launched in 2006 but communication was lost a few hours before it reached orbit.

U.S. officials said they were looking for an opportunity to shoot it down after the space shuttle Atlantis landed successfully on Wednesday.

China and Russia have expressed concern that the operation may be a cover for testing an anti-satellite weapon.