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Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright (left), U.S. Marine Corps, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England follow the progress of a Standard Missile-3 as it races toward a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite in space over the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 20, 2008. The USS Lake Erie (CG 70) launched the missile at the satellite orbiting in space at more than 17,000 mph over the Pacific. The objective is to rupture the satellite’s fuel tank to dissipate the approximately 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere.

Gen. James E. Cartwright and Deputy Secretary England follow the progress of a Standard Missile-3.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright (left), U.S. Marine Corps, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England follow the progress of a Standard Missile-3 as it races toward a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite in space over the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 20, 2008. The USS Lake Erie (CG 70) launched the missile at the satellite orbiting in space at more than 17,000 mph over the Pacific. The objective is to rupture the satellite’s fuel tank to dissipate the approximately 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere.

Photo Gallery