Take Your Umbrella on Thursday

It's supposed to rain in Southern California this week, just in time for the NASCAR traveling circus to arrive in town. However, it won't just be rain falling from the sky on Thursday:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy will likely attempt to shoot down a faulty spy satellite Thursday, the day after the space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to land, two officials told CNN Monday.

The officials -- who spoke on condition of anonymity because much of the planning remains classified -- said the idea is to leave as much time as possible so a second attempt could be made if necessary.

Because the 5,000-pound satellite malfunctioned immediately after launch in December 2006, it has a full tank of fuel. It would likely survive re-entry and disperse potentially deadly fumes over an area the size of two football fields, officials have said.

The Navy plans to fire at the satellite as it enters Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 150 miles.

Officials want the missile to hit the edge of the atmosphere to ensure debris re-enters and burns up quickly.

Without any intervention, Pentagon officials have said they believe the satellite would come down on its own in early March.

The Russians are already belching up their borscht over this satellite shootdown, claiming it's really a missile test. Maybe it is. We get two for the price of one - we take out a troublesome satellite before it lands on the wrong place (or in the hands of the wrong people), and we make sure our anti-satellite missile program is working well.

I hope there's lots of video.