WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force said Friday it will be watching
                  closely for any damage to U.S missile-warning, communications and other
                  military satellites when the earth passes through the Leonid Meteor Storm on
                  Nov. 17.

                  The storm, consisting of tiny sand-like particles traveling faster than 140,000
                  mph, is essentially a cloudy tail of space debris from the comet
                  Temple-Tuttle.

                  Although there was some concern when the earth first passed through the
                  comet's tail in 1998, the Air Force said scientists expect this year to be the
                  largest display from Temple-Tuttle since 1966.

                  "Air Force satellite operators are reviewing contingency plans to protect and
                  recover, if necessary, military communications, missile-warning and
                  navigation satellites that could be affected by the storm," the Air Force said in
                  a statement.

                  The earth is expected to pass through the tail on Nov. 17. While the
                  fast-moving particles could cause mechanical damage to satellites, they
                  would be more likely to cause electrostatic discharge -- or short circuits.

                  The Air Force said satellite operators may turn off sensors, avoid
                  commanding and controlling satellites during the storm, or reorient satellites
                  to provide a smaller cross-section and mitigate the effect of the storm.

                  The Air Force Space Command is preparing to view the storm from
                  electro-optical facilities at the Maui Space Surveillance Site atop Mt.
                  Halaeakala in Hawaii. It will be one of the prime viewing locations for this
                  year's storm, although other key viewing locations are in Israel, Canada,
                  Florida and the Canary Islands.