Missile launch. U.S. Navy AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) launching a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3). This missile went on to successfully impact a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite approximately 247 kilometres (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean. President George W. Bush decided to bring down the satellite because of the likelihood that the satellite could release hydrazine fuel upon impact, possibly in populated areas. Photographed on 20th February 2008.