That Time an F-15 Pilot Shot Down a Satellite

[+OverSword]

Quote

 

On Sept. 13, 1985, F-15 test pilot Maj. Wilbert D. “Doug” Pearson (now retired Maj. Gen.) took off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on a mission which would see him become history’s first space ace.

Dubbed the “Celestial Eagle Flight,” the assignment called for Pearson to make a near vertical ascent in a specially-configured F-15A to over 35,000 feet, to fire a 2,700 pound, 18-foot long missile into space and kill an obsolete satellite over 2000 miles away, at an altitude of 340 miles (about as high as the space shuttle could fly).

 

https://avgeekery.com/that-time-an-f-15-pilot-shot-down-a-satellite-32-years-ago-this-week/

 

Sometimes we forget amazing things that were done in the past.  In 1985 we could kill a satellite with a fighter jet.  What do you suppose we can do now that the public doesn't know about?

[+and-then]

1 hour ago, OverSword said:

https://avgeekery.com/that-time-an-f-15-pilot-shot-down-a-satellite-32-years-ago-this-week/

 

Sometimes we forget amazing things that were done in the past.  In 1985 we could kill a satellite with a fighter jet.  What do you suppose we can do now that the public doesn't know about?

True... it's one of those things I really don't care to imagine, since I think we all have fewer and fewer reasons to expect our governments to use them for our safety, rather than its own power  

[Buzz_Light_Year]

2 hours ago, OverSword said:

https://avgeekery.com/that-time-an-f-15-pilot-shot-down-a-satellite-32-years-ago-this-week/

 

Sometimes we forget amazing things that were done in the past.  In 1985 we could kill a satellite with a fighter jet.  What do you suppose we can do now that the public doesn't know about?

Speaking of F-15's and amazing things. A Israeli pilot landed his F-15 with only one wing in 1983.

I apologize for the thread hijack but your post reminded me of this.

 

[Grim Reaper 6]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:49 AM, OverSword said:

https://avgeekery.com/that-time-an-f-15-pilot-shot-down-a-satellite-32-years-ago-this-week/

 

Sometimes we forget amazing things that were done in the past.  In 1985 we could kill a satellite with a fighter jet.  What do you suppose we can do now that the public doesn't know about?

I had no idea that this program ever took place,  however it appears the results of this testing was successful.

Thanks for sharing I appreciate it!!

Meet the first and only Air Force pilot to shoot down a satellite: Meet the only Air Force pilot to shoot down a satellite (taskandpurpose.com)

Satellite hunters: a brief history of anti-space fighter jets: Satellite hunters: brief history of anti-space fighter jets (aerotime.aero)

Taken in 1985 after successful mission to shoot down a Satellite

Many years later reminiscing about his famous and successful mission to shoot down a Satellite