A malfunctioning spy satellite with toxic propellant in its fuel tank was hit by a US missile as falling toward Earth, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Initial indications are that the satellite, struck as it passed over the Pacific Ocean, had its tank destroyed, military officials said.

The tank is filled with more than 400 kilograms of a propellant called hydrazine, which is a hazardous fuel that could pose a danger to people.

Debris from the satellite will begin to enter the Earth's atmosphere almost immediately, the Pentagon said. Nearly all the particles are expected to burn up within 24 to 48 hours and the remainder should enter the atmosphere within 40 days.

The strike was the first time the US has used a tactical missile interceptor against a satellite. It comes after several countries, including the US, criticized China for destroying one of its defunct weather satellites in a military test last year.

Late last week, the Russian Defense Ministry said the US was "attempting to use the mishap with its satellite to test its national anti-missile defense system as a way to destroy satellites."

The satellite was launched in December 2006, stopped working within hours and was on course to hit Earth early next month. Breaking it into smaller pieces reduces the chances that metal or the deadly hydrazine will survive the heat of re-entry.

The Raytheon SM-3 missile, which cost about USD 10 M, was fired from the USS Lake Erie.

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