clipped from: www.guardian.co.uk 
China today accused Washington of double standards after the US navy fired a missile to destroy a failed satellite 150 miles above the Pacific.
Video footage released by the Pentagon showed a fireball when the missile struck the satellite, indicating that the fuel tank - containing hydrazine - had exploded.
"All indications are that it was a successful intercept," General James Cartwright said. The official added that it could take another 24-48 hours to know for certain whether the tank had been destroyed.