A spokesperson stated that software associated with the SM-3 had been modified to enhance the chances of the missile's sensors recognizing that the satellite was its target, since the missile was not designed for ASAT operations.
En talsmand udtalte at SM-3 missilets software var blevet ændret for at forøge chancerne for at missilet ville erkende satellitten som et mål da missilets software primært er udviklet til at erkende missilformede objekter som mål.