Washington: The shoot-down of a rogue spy satellite by the US Navy last week was a success and reduced the risk of damage to humans from its toxic fuel, the Pentagon said today in a statement.

"Officials are confident the missile intercept of a non-functioning national reconnaissance satellite achieved the objective of destroying the hydrazine tank and reducing, if not eliminating, the risk to people on Earth from hazardous chemicals," the statement said.

"By all accounts, this was a successful mission," it quoted general James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as saying, after a US warship shot down the satellite over the Pacific on Wednesday.

"From the debris analysis, we have a high degree of confidence the satellite s fuel tank was destroyed and the hydrazine has been dissipated," Cartwright said.

The operation raised Chinese concerns that the United States was trying to test an anti-satellite weapon, amid rising global tensions about the militarization of space.

The United States insisted the move was aimed at preventing harm to people.

But Defence Secretary Robert Gates said after the satellite was shot down "I think the question over whether this (missile defense system) capability works has been settled."

Source : PTI