Chinese Test Anti-Satellite Weapon
By Craig Covault/Aviation Week & Space Technology
01/17/2007 07:45:59 PM
U. S. intelligence agencies believe China performed a successful anti-satellite (asat) weapons test at more than 500 mi. altitude Jan. 11 destroying an aging Chinese weather satellite target with a kinetic kill vehicle launched on board a ballistic missile.
The Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, NASA and other government organizations have a full court press underway to obtain data on the alleged test, Aviation Week & Space Technology will report in its Jan. 22 issue.
If the test is verified it will signify a major new Chinese military capability.
Neither the Office of the U. S. Secretary of Defense nor Air Force Space Command would comment on the attack, which followed by several months the alleged illumination of a U. S. military spacecraft by a Chinese ground based laser.
China's growing military space capability is one major reason the Bush Administration last year formed the nation's first new National Space Policy in ten years, Aviation Week will report.
"The policy is designed to ensure that our space capabilities are protected in a time of increasing challenges and threats," says Robert G. Joseph, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the U. S. State Dept. " This is imperative because space capabilities are vital to our national security and to our economic well being," Joseph said in an address on the new space policy at the National Press Club in Washington D. C.
Details emerging from space sources indicate that the Chinese Feng Yun 1C (FY-1C) polar orbit weather satellite launched in 1999 was attacked by an asat system launched from or near the Xichang Space Center.
The attack is believe to have occurred as the weather satellite flew at 530 mi. altitude 4 deg. west of Xichang located in Sichuan province. Xichang is a major Chinese space launch center.
Although intelligence agencies must complete confirmation of the test, the attack is believed to have occurred at about 5:28 p.m. EST Jan. 11. U. S. intelligence agencies had been expecting some sort of test that day, sources said.
U. S. Air Force Defense Support Program missile warning satellites in geosynchronous orbit would have detected the Xichang launch of the asat kill vehicle and U. S. Air Force Space Command monitored the FY-1C orbit both before and after the exercise.
The test, if it occurred as envisioned by intelligence source, could also have left considerable space debris in an orbit used by many different satellites.
USAF radar reports on the Chinese FY-1C spacecraft have been posted once or twice daily for years, but those reports jumped to about 4 times per day just before the alleged test.
The USAF radar reports then ceased Jan. 11, but then appeared for a day showing "signs of orbital distress". The reports were then halted again. The Air Force radars may well be busy cataloging many pieces of debris, sources said.
Although more of a "policy weapon" at this time, the test shows that the Chinese military can threaten the imaging reconnaissance satellites operated by the U. S., Japan, Russia, Israel and Europe.
The Republic of China also operates a small imaging spacecraft that can photograph objects as small as about 10 ft. in size, a capability good enough to count cruise missiles pointed at Taiwan from the Chinese mainland. The Taiwanese in the past have also leased capability on an Israeli reconnaissance satellite.
U. S. intelligence agencies believe China performed a successful anti-satellite (asat) weapons test at more than 500 mi. altitude Jan. 11 destroying an aging Chinese weather satellite target with a kinetic kill vehicle launched on board a ballistic missile.
The Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, NASA and other government organizations have a full court press underway to obtain data on the alleged test, Aviation Week & Space Technology will report in its Jan. 22 issue.
...
Details emerging from space sources indicate that the Chinese Feng Yun 1C (FY-1C) polar orbit weather satellite launched in 1999 was attacked by an asat system launched from or near the Xichang Space Center.
The attack is believe to have occurred as the weather satellite flew at 530 mi. altitude 4 deg. west of Xichang located in Sichuan province. Xichang is a major Chinese space launch center.
Although intelligence agencies must complete confirmation of the test, the attack is believed to have occurred at about 5:28 p.m. EST Jan. 11. U. S. intelligence agencies had been expecting some sort of test that day, sources said.
U. S. Air Force Defense Support Program missile warning satellites in geosynchronous orbit would have detected the Xichang launch of the asat kill vehicle and U. S. Air Force Space Command monitored the FY-1C orbit both before and after the exercise.
Good, now the "anti-proliferation" morons will have no excuse against the USA fielding a full scale anti-satelite weapon system program.
"I'll venture to say that what eludes our generation is not Freedom, but the decision to be Free. I urge you to rise above the trappings of resentment, and to not merely hope but be the hope." -- Dwight Looi
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" -- Barry Goldwater (1909~1998) - one of the finest US Senator and Conservative Leader in modern history.
Well being should be a reward for individual competence, diligence and responsibility.
Well being should never be an entitlement.
The opposite of Right is not Left. The opposite of Right is Wrong.
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Quote:
The USSR went for a kamikaze satellite approach because it would be the simplest and cheapest to implement. The designs were named Istrebitel Sputnikov (IS) (Interceptor of satellites, or literally "Destroyer of satellites"). Development work began in the early 1960s and the first test flights were made in 1968. The project was halted in 1972 under the terms of SALT I but the system was still deployed and testing of new versions continued up until around 1982 when the entire concept was scrapped, possibly in favour of more advanced orbital ASAT systems; whether such designs were actually ever deployed is still a matter of heated debate. The Soviet Union also experimented with large, ground-based ASAT lasers from the 1970's onwards (see Terra-3), with a number of US spysats reportedly being 'blinded' during the 70's and 80's, in 2006 China also is also suspected of blinding US spysats[1]. The USSR also experimented with military space stations with a capability for anti-satellite duty in its Almaz program.
In the early 80's, the Soviet Union also started developing a counterpart to the US air-launched ASAT system, using modified MiG-31 'Foxhounds' (at least one of which was completed) as the launch platform. After the Soviet Union collapsed, there were proposals to use this aircraft as a launch platform for lofting commercial and science packages into orbit. Recent political developments (see below) may have seen the reactivation of the Russian Air-Launched ASAT program, although there is no confirmation of this as yet.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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russia never tested to launch ASAT weapon from inside of aerosphere. the mig-31 platform is just a programm, but never done. the only ASAT weapon they have test is anti-sat satllite, this is not system based within aerosphere, the reactive time is way too longer.
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You must always remember that these missile launched from fighter aircraft do have their limitations. US GPS satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 20,200 kilometers or 12,600 miles.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"
You must always remember that these missile launched from fighter aircraft do have their limitations. US GPS satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 20,200 kilometers or 12,600 miles."
Oaky,
Don't confuse the GPS satellities which are in GeoSyn Order(GTO), as compare to the low observing satellites (spy or communication satellities) are in the low(LEO) or medium orbit(MEO)!
These ASAT weapons is to target and to destroy American lower orbit satellites during time of war; GEO orbit satellites would be attack from ICBM launch type attack!
WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The United States, Australia and Canada have voiced concerns to China over a test in space of a satellite-killing weapon last week, the White House said on Thursday.
"The U.S. believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
Using a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile, the test knocked out an aging Chinese weather satellite about 537 miles (865 km) above the earth on Jan. 11 through "kinetic impact," or by slamming into it, Johndroe said.
Canada and Australia had joined in voicing concern, he said.
Britain, South Korea and Japan were expected to follow suit, an administration official added.
A key concern is debris that could interfere with civilian and military satellite operations on which the West increasingly relies.
On the day of the test, a U.S. defense official said the United States was unable to communicate with an experimental spy satellite launched last year by the Pentagon's National Reconnaissance Office. But there was no immediate indication that this was a result of the Chinese test.
No such publicized destruction of a satellite in space has occurred in at least 15 years, said Marco Caceres, a space expert at the Teal Group, an aerospace consulting firm in Fairfax, Virginia.
SATELLITE-KILLING CAPABILITY
Aviation Week & Space Technology, the first to report the test, cited space sources as saying a Chinese Feng Yun 1C polar orbit weather satellite, launched in 1999, was destroyed by an antisatellite system launched from or near China's Xichang Space Center in Sichuan Province.
The satellite-killing capability demonstrated by China was no surprise to the Bush administration, which revised U.S. national space policy in October with an eye on boosting protection of U.S. civilian and military satellites.
In a major speech about the policy last month, Robert Joseph, the State Department's point man for arms control and international security, said other nations and possibly terrorist groups were "acquiring capabilities to counter, attack and defeat U.S. space systems."
"No nation, no non-state actor, should be under the illusion that the United States will tolerate a denial of our right to the use of space for peaceful purposes," Joseph said on Dec. 13.
In classified projects shielded from public debate, the United States has been widely reported to be developing satellite-killers of its own, using more advanced technologies, including lasers.
Caceres said he expected the test to strengthen the Pentagon's hand in seeking funds from Congress to press a host of costly military space programs, almost all of which are over budget and behind schedule.
"They are going to use this for as much as they can," he said, referring to Pentagon officials. Major corporate beneficiaries could be Lockheed Martin Corp. , Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. , which build U.S. communications, surveillance and early-warning satellites, Caceres added.
(Additional reporting by Iren Klotz in Cape Canaveral, Florida)
During the Cold War it was always expected that the Soviets would or would try to take out US satellites, it was a given. At this point in time the US has a greater production capacity to produce satellites and has many, many in orbit. These reconnaissance satellites have features that make them stealthy. These satellites include Misty and Prowler which are part of a program that has been going on for some time to make satellites more difficult to detect by radar and optical means.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"During the Cold War it was always expected that the Soviets would or would try to take out US satellites, it was a given. At this point in time the US has a greater production capacity to produce satellites and has many, many in orbit. These reconnaissance satellites have features that make them stealthy. These satellites include Misty and Prowler which are part of a program that has been going on for some time to make satellites more difficult to detect by radar and optical means."
You better not show case your silly idea further; during the Cold War, Russian idea is to using ICBM packed with Nukes to blast the orbit to clear satellites in space.
Also, you better have more substancial backing for your so called Stealthy Satellites? Silly, Satellities follows a preset orbits; or you can have limited changed of Satellities path given enough fuel on board. But, there is no such thing as Stealthy Satellites; when you can use very powerful Telescope to visually see and track these satellites in space!
Don't you tell me, that USA have created an invisible sheild to deflect lights, so that the American Satellities can not be visible at all!
Me thinks, you are talking in an area you knows very little about!
Quote:Misty is the name of a classified project to operate stealthy satellites conducted by the National Reconnaissance Office. The first satellite launched for the program was deployed on March 1, 1990 by the Space Shuttle Atlantis as part of Mission STS-36. Objects associated with the satellite decayed on March 31, 1990, but the satellite itself was seen and tracked later that year and in the mid-1990s by amateur observers. It was a testbed for the Zirconic series of satellites. Misty is reported to have optical and radar stealth characteristics, preventing it from being detectable by other nations.
The satellite camouflage, as reviewed in patent #5,345,238 , takes the form of an inflatable balloon. It can be quickly deployed and made rigid upon exposure to both outside and internally-created ultraviolet radiation. This shield can be tailored to a particular spacecraft and orbital situation. Once deployed, the cone-shaped balloon is oriented to deflect incoming laser and microwave radar energy, sending it off into outer space.
While an intriguing bit of high-tech handiwork, whether or not this stealthy idea is an active ingredient of the MISTY satellite series is not publicly known.
Tracking apparently resulted from a misunderstanding on the part of the satellite's operators of the geographical distribution of optical observation sites.
Porter Goss, a former Congressman and former CIA director, and George Tenet, former CIA director, have both vigorously supported successors to Misty, despite several attempts by Senators Dianne Feinstein and John D. Rockefeller IV to terminate the program. The primary contractor is Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The program may have involved as many as three satellites, with the second launching in 1999.
Quote:The KH-13 is a potential successor to the KH-12 reconnaissance satellite. Only extremely limited information is available. It may or may not be the same project as 8X, later rechristened as EIS (Enhanced Imaging System). It is believed that a satellite launched as part of one of these programs was put into orbit in 1999 and others may have been launched afterward. What is described by some as the KH-13 may just be a variant of the KH-12. It is even possible that a distinct KH-12 does not exist, and the KH-13 is merely a late-model KH-11, a platform in use since 1976.
Many people believe that the KH-13 is an enhanced version of the KH-12 that incorporates stealth technology. If it exists, it probably has a shape similar to that of the Hubble Space Telescope—a shape its predecessors are believed to have as well. Another possibility is that the satellite extends the observable range of the electromagnetic spectrum into frequencies used by radar, possibly including capabilities of the rumored Lacrosse satellite. This builds upon the optical and infrared capabilities of predecessors.
Some believe that the 8X/EIS project is different from the KH-13. One considerable difference cited is the possibility of a very large fuel tank for making significant course corrections in orbit. Some have suggested that the highly eccentric Molniya orbit would be used, giving the satellite a long "dwell time" to observe areas. However, the greater distance from the Earth's surface that this requires would necessitate an improvement in optical systems. The 8X is said to be refuelable by the Space Shuttle, but it would be extremely difficult for the shuttle to match a Molniya orbit.
The 8X program was mentioned in the press at least as far back as 1995. Cost overruns were a consideration even then.
Some of the information contained in this article may have originated in the rules for "Global Thunder", an online wargame (the Center for Defense Information link below lists Battlefront.com as one of several references). Some wargames include fictional devices or add abilities to existing devices that they don't really have.
The KH-13 is also the subject of Bruce Sterling's science fiction book The Zenith Angle, released in April 2004. It is unknown if any of the abilities described in the book are equal to or beyond what the real KH-13/8X/EIS devices are capable of (if they exist at all).
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"Misty is the name of a classified project to operate stealthy satellites conducted by the National Reconnaissance Office. The first satellite launched for the program was deployed on March 1, 1990 by the Space Shuttle Atlantis as part of Mission STS-36. Objects associated with the satellite decayed on March 31, 1990, but the satellite itself was seen and tracked later that year and in the mid-1990s by amateur observers. It was a testbed for the Zirconic series of satellites. Misty is reported to have optical and radar stealth characteristics, preventing it from being detectable by other nations."
So much of your Wet Dream about Misty and Stealthy Satellites.... when freaken amateur using small portable telescope is able to track your Misty Satellites!
And you don't even have a clue as to that orbital location is calculated and tracks to the second! Continue to Wet Dreaming about Misty; and get your pant wet!
Quote:So much of your Wet Dream about Misty and Stealthy Satellites.... when freaken amateur using small portable telescope is able to track your Misty Satellites!
And you don't even have a clue as to that orbital location is calculated and tracks to the second! Continue to Wet Dreaming about Misty; and get your pant wet!
That is why the satellite was more of a testbed than anything else. The real workhorse is the KH and Lacrosse series.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"That is why the satellite was more of a testbed than anything else. The real workhorse is the KH and Lacrosse series."
You are ignore some basic principle about Satellites and Stealth Technology....etc! I urge you to read up on these topic prior to just blindly believes every bit of BS comes out of Pentagon!
Ask yourself, what does Stealth Technology means? Stealth to What? RADAR STealth does not mean you are invinsible to visual Spectrum....... does it? ROFLMAo
Quote:Ask yourself, what does Stealth Technology means? Stealth to What? RADAR STealth does not mean you are invinsible to visual Spectrum....... does it? ROFLMAo
There is such a thing as optical stealth, look it up. Nobody said it would anything invisible but more difficult to detect.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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Quote:There is such a thing as optical stealth, look it up. Nobody said it would anything invisible but more difficult to detect.
scaning the whole airspace to find out such sats is difficult, but it's very easy to track them when we controled their orbit datas. chinese early warning sats can offer such datas by watching their launch, it's very easy for us to keep tracking them. unless you can completely change their orbit, which is impossible.
--------------------------------------------
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"There is such a thing as optical stealth, look it up. Nobody said it would anything invisible but more difficult to detect."
What, you have some Alien Technology to bent the light reflection from an object? Even if you have this optical stealth, each and every launch objects can be tracks by using mathematical calculations.
This is not Super high tech calculation that any nation can not do!
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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But eh, this could prompt the US to put up more funding for SBL (Space based laser) projects. But there is any point to consider. For a weapon to be truly reliable it has to perform quite a few test successfully. Every time China performs a test like this they spread more and more orbital debris. This could effect the Chinese satellite and space craft programs.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
This message has been edited by OakRidge on Jan 19, 2007 1:32 AM
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"But eh, this could prompt the US to put up more funding for SBL (Space based laser) projects. But there is any point to consider. For a weapon to be truly reliable it has to perform quite a few test successfully. Every time China performs a test like this they spread more and more orbital debris. This could effect the Chinese satellite and space craft programs."
In a Taiwan Seperation War and if USA decided to venture into the Taiwan Aids; you would for sure see that American space satellities over Asia would be destroy. Even if USA is to goes about a arms race over space weapons; it would still be cheapter for China to knock out American space satellities then USA to launch new satellities.
The reason is that; USA have more investments in space and dependence more on Space Asset for her military then China!
Quote:The reason is that; USA have more investments in space and dependence more on Space Asset for her military then China!
With every new launch China's dependency is increasing and I don't see a war happening soon.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"With every new launch China's dependency is increasing and I don't see a war happening soon."
China is still very far behind on these digital age of war fighting curves; in fact, this is rather good thing...... for you don't wanting to induces High Technology just for the sick of introduction of High Technology!
In a total all out war environment; much of today High Technology are just junks when push comes to shove!
USA army would not stand a massive Third World War; when all your high technology gets wear and tear and unable to performs as designed! In this case, big number makes a different!
"You must always remember that these missile launched from fighter aircraft do have their limitations. US GPS satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 20,200 kilometers or 12,600 miles."
Oaky,
Don't confuse the GPS satellities which are in GeoSyn Order(GTO), as compare to the low observing satellites (spy or communication satellities) are in the low(LEO) or medium orbit(MEO)!
These ASAT weapons is to target and to destroy American lower orbit satellites during time of war; GEO orbit satellites would be attack from ICBM launch type attack!
Let's be factually correct here.
(1) No Satellite -- NOTHING AT ALL -- is in GTO. GTO refers to Geo-stationary Transfer Orbit. It is a high eliptical orbit whose apogee (highest point) is roughly Geo-Synchronous (GEO) orbit altitude. Rockets but satellites onto GTO to help them get into GEO. Usually, what happens is that at the Apogee of GTO the satellite will employ some kind of a kicker motor to accelerate horizontally. Over time this acceleration and the help of the Earth's gravity will help circularize the Satellite's orbit to a circular GEO. This is a very efficient way to park things in GEO and it is also the most accurate. Hence, just about every GEO satellite is put on GTO by its launch vehicle before modifying its orbit to GEO.
(2) Geo-Stationary (aka Geo-Synchronous) Orbit is at 35,786 km. It is circular and follows the equator. There is no variations to it. Any higher or lower and the orbital angular velocity will be faster or slower than the Earth's rotation and the satelite will not hold its position. If it is the orbit is not circular or if it is not equatorial the satelite will also NOT hold its position.
(3) Typically, only weather satellites, recon birds and upper atmosphere research satelites use a 500~1000km orbit. Manned space stations like the ISS also use an orbit of this altitude. This is as low as you can get without too much aerodynamic braking. Space lower than 500km has too much trace gases and particles and an object in orbit at such altitudes will slow down over the period of days and its orbit will decay. Even at 500km orbits still decay which is why the ISS and the Mir needed periodic "boosts" to stay up, but 500km is about as low as you can go without unacceptable rates of decay.
(4) If you are wondering, the GPS constellation is at 20,200 km. Glonass is at 19,100km. These positioning satellites are not position holding satellites. They move across the sky.
(5)The biggest problem with Anti-Satellite weapons is not so much the weapon itself. If you have the ability to put satellites in orbit you have the ability to put something up there on collision course with another satellite. The biggest problem is that you cannot use it in peace time meaning you cannot prevent the enemy from spying on you before the war. In the case of a strategic nuclear exchange, things will happen too quickly for ASAT measures to have a meaningful effect. As a tool to annoy your opponent in a tactical war it is very useful. But only very limited ASAT capability can be "hidden". If you want the ability to start dismantling entire constellations it'll entail a full scale deployment of an ASAT force. This will never go unnoticed and your opponent will respond in kind. Because of this, the USA and Russia reached an agreement in the 80s to suspend ASAT development. Obviously China is not bound by it and appears to be willing and able to escalate the militarization of space. I have always said that militarization of space is inevitable and that it is better to be early rather than late in the game. Just because you refrain will not cause your opponent to refrain. This is actually good. It will be apparent that silly anti-militarization of space treaties and agreements must end. We have the advantage in terms of assets and technology, its time to unleash it in form of deployed space weapons. The time is now... no time should have been 20 years ago, but now is better than later.
"I'll venture to say that what eludes our generation is not Freedom, but the decision to be Free. I urge you to rise above the trappings of resentment, and to not merely hope but be the hope." -- Dwight Looi
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" -- Barry Goldwater (1909~1998) - one of the finest US Senator and Conservative Leader in modern history.
Well being should be a reward for individual competence, diligence and responsibility.
Well being should never be an entitlement.
The opposite of Right is not Left. The opposite of Right is Wrong.
Der Wille zur Macht!
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"Don't confuse the GPS satellities which are in GeoSyn Order(GTO), as compare to the low observing satellites (spy or communication satellities) are in the low(LEO) or medium orbit(MEO)!"
"(1) No Satellite -- NOTHING AT ALL -- is in GTO. GTO refers to Geo-stationary Transfer Orbit. It is a high eliptical orbit whose apogee (highest point) is roughly Geo-Synchronous (GEO) orbit altitude. Rockets but satellites onto GTO to help them get into GEO. Usually, what happens is that at the Apogee of GTO the satellite will employ some kind of a kicker motor to accelerate horizontally. Over time this acceleration and the help of the Earth's gravity will help circularize the Satellite's orbit to a circular GEO. This is a very efficient way to park things in GEO and it is also the most accurate. Hence, just about every GEO satellite is put on GTO by its launch vehicle before modifying its orbit to GEO."
Thanks for catching my typo of GTO, for I mean GEO as I have stated on the word of GeoSyn Orbit..... but, I have typo of GTO instead! It should have been bracket as (GEO).
"(5)The biggest problem with Anti-Satellite weapons is not so much the weapon itself. If you have the ability to put satellites in orbit you have the ability to put something up there on collision course with another satellite. The biggest problem is that you cannot use it in peace time meaning you cannot prevent the enemy from spying on you before the war. In the case of a strategic nuclear exchange, things will happen too quickly for ASAT measures to have a meaningful effect. As a tool to annoy your opponent in a tactical war it is very useful. But only very limited ASAT capability can be "hidden". If you want the ability to start dismantling entire constellations it'll entail a full scale deployment of an ASAT force. This will never go unnoticed and your opponent will respond in kind. Because of this, the USA and Russia reached an agreement in the 80s to suspend ASAT development. Obviously China is not bound by it and appears to be willing and able to escalate the militarization of space. I have always said that militarization of space is inevitable and that it is better to be early rather than late in the game. Just because you refrain will not cause your opponent to refrain. This is actually good. It will be apparent that silly anti-militarization of space treaties and agreements must end. We have the advantage in terms of assets and technology, its time to unleash it in form of deployed space weapons. The time is now... no time should have been 20 years ago, but now is better than later"
Who care about the peace time; currently during peace time, both Nations using every means to spy on each other! But, in the case of war; like in Taiwan independence War, the American satellities would be attack should America decided to fight this war..... this is given and you can count on it!
What is America going to do next; after seeing her Space Assets being destroy... are they going to escalate into strategy bombing?
If this is the case; then I it give every strong reason for China to massively build up her DF-31A missiles! As I have stated before, China should build 3000 DF-31A each pack with 3 MIRV warheads that would turn WWIII into MAD exstinction for humanity! This current stand of USA Hegemony can not be accept!
America seek, Now America get the answer and rewards for her unilateral action in space!
January 18, 2007
China Tests Anti-Satellite Weapon, Unnerving U.S.
By WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER
China successfully carried out its first test of an anti-satellite weapon last week, signaling its resolve to play a major role in military space activities and bringing expressions of concern from Washington and other capitals, the Bush administration said Thursday.
Only two nations — Russia and the United States — have previously destroyed spacecraft in anti-satellite tests, most recently the United States in the mid 1980s.
Arms control experts called the test, in which a Chinese missile destroyed an aging Chinese weather satellite, a troubling development that could foreshadow either an anti-satellite arms race or, alternatively, a diplomatic push by China to force the Bush administration into negotiations on a weapons ban.
“This is the first real escalation in the weaponization of space that we’ve seen in 20 years,” said Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer who tracks rocket launchings and space activity. “It ends a long period of restraint.”
White House officials said the United States and other nations, which they did not name, had “expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese.” Despite its protest, the Bush administration has long resisted a global treaty banning such tests because it says it needs freedom of action in space.
At a time when China is modernizing its nuclear weapons, expanding the reach of its navy and sending astronauts into orbit for the first time, the test appears to mark a new sphere of technical and military competition. American officials complained today that China made no public or private announcements about its test, despite repeated requests by American officials for more openness about their actions.
The weather satellite hit by the missile circled the globe at an altitude of roughly 500 miles. In theory, the test means that China can now hit American spy satellites, which orbit closer to Earth than that. Experts said remnants of the destroyed satellite could threaten to damage or destroy other satellites for years or even decades to come.
In late August, President Bush authorized a new national space policy that ignored calls for a global prohibition on such tests and asserted the need for American “freedom of action in space.”
“It could be a shot across the bow,” said Theresa Hitchens, director of the Center for Defense Information, a private group in Washington that tracks military programs. “For several years, the Russians and Chinese have been trying to push a treaty to ban space weapons. The concept of exhibiting a hard-power capability to bring somebody to the negotiating table is a classic cold war technique.”
Gary Samore, the director of studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a proliferation expert, said in an interview: “I think it makes perfect sense for the Chinese to do this both for deterrence and to hedge their bets. It puts pressure on the U.S. to negotiate agreements not to weaponize space.”
Ms. Hitchens and other critics have accused the Bush administration of conducting secret research on advanced anti-satellite weapons using lasers, which are considered a far speedier and more powerful way of destroying satellites than the cruder weapons of two decades ago.
The White House statement, issued by the National Security Council, said China’s “development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area.”
An administration official who had reviewed the intelligence about China’s test said the Chinese missile launch was detected by the United States in the early evening of Jan. 11, which would have been early morning on Jan. 12 in China. American satellites tracked the launch of the medium-range ballistic missile, and later space radars saw the debris and noted that the old weather satellite had vanished.
The anti-satellite test was first reported late Wednesday on the Web site of Aviation Week and Space Technology, an industry magazine. It said intelligence agencies had yet to “complete confirmation of the test.”
The Chinese test, the magazine said, appeared to employ a ground-based interceptor that used the sheer force of impact rather than an exploding warhead to shatter the satellite into a cloud of debris.
Dr. McDowell of Harvard, who twice monthly publishes "Jonathan’s Space Report," an e-mail newsletter, said the satellite is known as Feng Yun, or “wind and cloud.” Launched in 1999, it was the third in a series. He said the satellite was a cube measuring 4.6 feet on a side, and that its solar panels extended about 28 feet. He added that it was due for retirement sometime soon but still appeared to be electronically alive — making it an ideal target.
“If it stops working,” he said, “you know you have a successful hit.”
David C. Wright, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a private group in Cambridge, Mass., said he calculated that the Chinese satellite shattered into 800 fragments that were 4 inches wide or larger, and millions of smaller pieces.
Jianhua Li, a spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said he had heard about the anti-satellite report but had no statement or information.
The Soviet Union conducted roughly a dozen anti-satellite tests between 1968 and 1982, Dr. McDowell said, adding that the Reagan administration carried out its experiments in 1985 and 1986.
The Bush administration has conducted laser research that critics say could produce a powerful ground-based laser weapon that would use beams of concentrated light to destroy enemy satellites in orbit.
The largely secret project, parts of which were made public through Air Force budget documents submitted to Congress last year, appears to be part of a wide-ranging effort by the Bush administration to develop space weapons, both defensive and offensive. No treaty or law forbids such work.
The administration’s laser research is far more ambitious than a previous effort by the Clinton administration nearly a decade ago to develop an anti-satellite laser. It would take advantage of an optical technique that uses sensors, computers and flexible mirrors to counteract the atmospheric turbulence that seems to make stars twinkle. The weapon would essentially reverse that process, shooting focused beams of light upward with great clarity and force.
Michael Krepon, cofounder of the Washington-based Henry L. Stimson Center, a private group that studies national security, called the Chinese test very un-Chinese.
“There’s nothing subtle about this,” he said. “They’ve created a huge debris cloud that will last a quarter century or more. It’s at a higher elevation than the test we did in 1985, and for that one the last trackable debris took 17 years to clear out.”
Mr. Krepon added that the administration has long argued that the world needs no space-weapons treaty because no such arms exist and because the last tests were two decades ago. “It seems,” he said, “that argument is no longer operative.”
Quote:In October,
President Bush signed an order asserting the United States' right to deny adversaries access to space for hostile purposes. As part of the first revision of U.S. space policy in nearly 10 years, the policy also said the United States would oppose the development of treaties or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit U.S. access to or use of space.
according to this, the U.S wants sole control over space. even though we've talked about all manner of exo-atmospheric weapons.
Quote:Precisely what drove China to act now remains a mystery
i wonder if the administrations and the media's talk (lets not forget the books) about the chinese threat have anything to do with it.
Quote:Reconnaissance satellites in low-Earth orbit — "eyes in the sky" — are essential to how the United States fights wars.
if there is a war with china it would be advantageous to have the ability to neutralize our "eye in the sky"
Quote:"The United States believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area,"
load of crap!
Quote:Analysts said China's weather satellites would travel at about the same altitude as U.S. spy satellites, so the test represented an indirect threat to U.S. defense systems.
in other words, our ability to spy on them and gather intel..
why did i bother doin all this?? to show a double two-faced standard, i'm all about honesty, whether or not it hurts. i'm ashamed of the heads of state
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Let's put it this way. Regardless of what China does or say from this point you can be sure that the USA will also refine the next generation of satelite killers and satelite defence systems and deploy them either openly or secretly. The technology has long since been there so it is a matter of production and deployment now.
If the USA is in a hurry, my guess is that there will be two versions.
A air launched version that uses two AGM-69 rocket motors as the first and second stage, with a SM-3 Block 1A TSRM as the third stage. This should be enough to put the SM-3's LEAP into orbit. The LEAP vehicle with some software modification will destroy low and medium orbit satelites. Air launch shall enable it so be quickly employed regardless of the target's orbital path.
A ground launched version that uses the Taurus all-solid launch vehicle to deliver the NMD kill vehicle to any desired orbit including GEO.
Taurus OLV
In addition, efforts a creating viable satelite defence system will also be stepped up. Practical measures include decoy dispensers, Laser based IR jammers (since kill vehicles typically use an imaging IR seeker) and increased fuel load so they may be manuevered evasively should an ASAT launch be detected.
"I'll venture to say that what eludes our generation is not Freedom, but the decision to be Free. I urge you to rise above the trappings of resentment, and to not merely hope but be the hope." -- Dwight Looi
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" -- Barry Goldwater (1909~1998) - one of the finest US Senator and Conservative Leader in modern history.
Well being should be a reward for individual competence, diligence and responsibility.
Well being should never be an entitlement.
The opposite of Right is not Left. The opposite of Right is Wrong.
Der Wille zur Macht!
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Don't place the blame on China. The timing of this test is not a surprise. Let's not forget it was just three months ago that Bush announced a new policy towards space with some freedom of space bs, essentially declaring that US has the right to develop any offensive capabilities in space it deems necessary. Such blatant violation of the non proliferation of space was bound to cause a response. Had Bush not made the threat, we wouldn't be in this situation no?
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Quote:Had Bush not made the threat, we wouldn't be in this situation no?
This weapon has been in development for more than just a few months.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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This weapon has been in development for more than just a few months.
No doubt, and other countries also experimented with ASAT. But the decision to test was clearly a response to Bush's announcement last October. When Bush says he wants to protect US interests, what guarantee does China have that those capabilities won't be aimed at China? US has an ASAT program and just announced its intention to militarize space, probably aimed at you, what would you do?
------------------------------------
#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Quote:No doubt, and other countries also experimented with ASAT. But the decision to test was clearly a response to Bush's announcement last October. When Bush says he wants to protect US interests, what guarantee does China have that those capabilities won't be aimed at China? US has an ASAT program and just announced its intention to militarize space, probably aimed at you, what would you do?
This weapon would have to been tested one way or another sometime. These events were in motion before the Bush speech.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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We'll never know, but I doubt the timing of this test and Bush's new space policy is a coincidence. Either way, look at the description of space programs by Western sources and you'll see a clear bias and loaded language towards what is essentially the same action on the part of US and China. For US, you see terms like interception, protection, or freedom of space, but when describing the same capabilities from China, it's a provocation or attack. Either way, China conducted the test only after Bush escalated militarization of space is a fact, and US is ahead of China's space program is another fact.
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Quote:and US is ahead of China's space program is another fact.
Way, way, way, way, way ahead to be more correct.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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Lol, alright then. Then this test is not a provocation. US is way ahead and announced its right to militarize space with language specifically aimed at China (let's face it no other country poses an immediate threat to US space assets).
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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"Let's put it this way. Regardless of what China does or say from this point you can be sure that the USA will also refine the next generation of satelite killers and satelite defence systems and deploy them either openly or secretly. The technology has long since been there so it is a matter of production and deployment now.
If the USA is in a hurry, my guess is that there will be two versions.
A air launched version that uses two AGM-69 rocket motors as the first and second stage, with a SM-3 Block 1A TSRM as the third stage. This should be enough to put the SM-3's LEAP into orbit. The LEAP vehicle with some software modification will destroy low and medium orbit satelites. Air launch shall enable it so be quickly employed regardless of the target's orbital path.
A ground launched version that uses the Taurus all-solid launch vehicle to deliver the NMD kill vehicle to any desired orbit including GEO."
Yawn, the USA have been working to militarize space for a long, long time! So, big deal, now that the bag is out....... it is better to have this in the open, then the crappy militarize space by the USA.
USA wanting to control space so she can unrestrict domination of other nations; it is about time that China standing up for Freedom for all nations around the globe! The USA is a threats to humanity, and China is the only force now can stop a run aways USA!
LOL, it is so funny, almost hilarious.
Let us be fair, US got owned by China this time and they have no one to blame but their unjustified arrogance.
The whole world did ask Bush to stop the militarization of space and he published his famously provocative 'space policy'.
And then he got owned.
Ah, the ironies of life, they can be so comical.
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LOL, it is so funny, almost hilarious.
Let us be fair, US got owned by China this time and they have no one to blame but their unjustified arrogance.
The whole world did ask Bush to stop the militarization of space and he published his famously provocative 'space policy'.
And then he got owned.
Ah, the ironies of life, they can be so comical.
Lol, you said what I didn't have the balls to say. Bush is indeed arrogant. His motivation for the new policy is simply that US dominance is threatened, and he wants to escalate the issue to maintain US domination of space. China motivation is entirely different, it's simply motivated by survival so that if US attacks Chinese mainland, we have some defense so the population doesn't get slaughtered.
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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It seems that there are other problems with such tests. The debris can harm other satellites.
Lol, and US scientists knew that when they tested. Of course there are no debris in the US ASAT test, only candy right? Like I said earlier, Western reports are biased in that they portray only half the story.
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Quote:Lol, and US scientists knew that when they tested. Of course there are no debris in the US ASAT test, only candy right? Like I said earlier, Western reports are biased in that they portray only half the story.
The US ASAT was tested once. If China wants their weapon to become a true system they will have to test it more than just once.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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Quote:This weapon has been in development for more than just a few months.
No doubt
Thus making your other post bunk. Point proven. Thanks!
So, China was developing this before Bush came out and said what he said! Maybe Bush found out through the intelligence community about China developing this, and that's why he said what he said. Ever think of that? Of course not. Because when your anger and/or bias blinds your logic (if there is any to begin with), you cannot see the obvious, even when it's staring you right in the face.
____________________________________________________
"Why did you risk your life to save mine? I'm just a stranger!"
"You're not a stranger, you're a human being."
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The US ASAT was tested once. If China wants their weapon to become a true system they will have to test it more than just once.
My point was that this is a concern US scientists considered when they tested (and this was during the cold war when knocking out a Russian satellite could've meant end of the world), and they deemed the risk low enough to test. If China continue to test and a collision does occur, then we can play the blame game.
It's pretty clear that Bush is partially responsible due to his shoot first ask questions later foreign policy. If his new space policy was indeed aimed at China ASAT program, then why not wait until after Yesterday's incident to announce it? This is just like when Bush announced the axis of evil and invaded Iraq without proof of WMD. If Bush hasn't made the axis of evil speech, NK would not have restarted their nuclear program and Iran would not be so insistent now. We see the same thing now, and I'm sure Bush will try to retroactively justify his 3-month militarization of space policy based on what China did just now.
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Thus making your other post bunk. Point proven. Thanks!
So, China was developing this before Bush came out and said what he said! Maybe Bush found out through the intelligence community about China developing this, and that's why he said what he said. Ever think of that? Of course not. Because when your anger and/or bias blinds your logic (if there is any to begin with), you cannot see the obvious, even when it's staring you right in the face.
Are you joking? This is the same Bush policy of shoot first ask question later that resulted in the axis of evil and Iraq WMD mess. If they had proof China was going to conduct ASAT why not show it earlier? Why are they surprised by China's capability to test so soon? Why noT wait three months to announce their policy because they gain nothing by announcing it earlier? Why not wait until world opinion is on their side?
Your logic is completely off. We observe events and draw conclusion. Bush announced militarization of space is a fact, China tested ASAT three months later is a fact. Therefore, the logical conclusion is that it was a response to Bush. You are arguing that something three months earlier is a response to something three months in the future.
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#1 way to ascertain that you've lost an argument: Resorting to personal attacks.
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Quote:The last orbital data released by NORAD seem to show one end of the [Chinese target] satellite's orbit being raised by about 20 miles (32 kilometers). Such tweaking is characteristic of a satellite lining up its orbital path for a rendezvous with a ground-launched visitor. The international space station does this in preparation for Russian spacecraft visits.
In fact, the reason the U.S. Air Force chose the air-launched anti-satellite system is that it does not have to have its target line up with a ground-based missile pad. Naturally, a real target in the real world would never make such a helpful maneuver.
Without the target’s maneuver to make itself easier to kill, a ground-based shot would likely have to be made from the side — or “out of plane,” in space navigation parlance. With such a geometry, the final approach for physical contact occurs under much higher rates of angular change, making terminal guidance much more difficult. It can be done, but with less reliability.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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Very good ! can't the Chinese let us try there toy on Murdoch satellites flying over France ?
sure you can.
we can give anything to france. Like france did the same to us during the last 15 years.
aircraft, DDG, helicopter,radar,fast speed train,anti-air missile,etc...
if france and china can do it, we see Rafale and french aircraft carrier in china before some years.
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France is easily China's best friend in Europe, and best friends get any and everything.
Chinese people work their butt off and say nothing. Indians talk their butt off about the work they'll be doing however what they say rarely corresponds with what they actually do.
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Thanks for the kind words but I'm not sure all the French tech China got was through tech transfert.
Some have been reverse engineered that's why even if the embargo was lifted it's not sure that would change much as long as this problem isn't solved. Any long term cooperation must be based on win-win relation, win-lose doesn't last long generally.
Still this embargo has no reason to exist but I guess France have not much motivation to try to lift it for the reason stated above.
That's difficult but China has a lot of dollar to spend and it's surprising no solution has been found yet.
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"Thanks for the kind words but I'm not sure all the French tech China got was through tech transfert.
Some have been reverse engineered that's why even if the embargo was lifted it's not sure that would change much as long as this problem isn't solved. Any long term cooperation must be based on win-win relation, win-lose doesn't last long generally.
Still this embargo has no reason to exist but I guess France have not much motivation to try to lift it for the reason stated above.
That's difficult but China has a lot of dollar to spend and it's surprising no solution has been found yet."
Keep your Western arms embargo in place; for each years goes by, China is forces to develope her own weapons systems independence of the West!
This is the only path to self defense; China mush developed her own advance military technology independent of other foreigners!
Also, these continue Foreigner bashing on China; would be a good fuel to drive up Chinese Nationalism!
Cry me a river, you God Damned Double Standard Wankers; in fact, China should quickly repeat this testing and bring demonstration to America.
IQ Bush declared Space is the exclusive Domain of the USA; now we just kick sand into America face, and all you cry baby can do is ........... organize a complain! Give me a freaken break; you Paper Tiger Wannabe!
Chinese Anti-Satellite Alarms Washington
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Bush administration officials are declaring alarm over an apparent Chinese anti-satellite (asat) test and are organizing allies to denounce it as well.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Jan. 18 that he did not know whether the alleged Jan. 11 test was meant to be provocative, but it has triggered virtual alarm bells. "We are concerned about it, and we've made it known," he said.
"The U.S. believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
Australia and Canada also have voiced concerns, several reports said, and the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan were expected to do the same.
As first reported online by AVIATION WEEK late on Jan. 17, U.S. intelligence agencies believe China performed a successful anti-satellite (asat) weapons test at more than 500 miles altitude on Jan. 11, destroying an aging Chinese weather satellite target with a kinetic kill vehicle launched onboard a ballistic missile.
The Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, NASA and other government organizations have a full-court press under way to obtain data on the alleged test, Aviation Week & Space Technology will report in its Jan. 22 issue.
The test was not wholly unexpected. U.S. military officials have been worried for weeks, at least, that recent attempts by the Chinese to blind or jam U.S. satellite signals may be part of a larger attempt to cut or curtail global communication networks (DAILY, Jan. 8).
Indeed, military officials inside and outside the Pentagon have acknowledged that the Chinese have attempted to blind or disrupt signals of a U.S. satellite flying over Chinese territory, apparently using a ground-based laser gun.
The asat attack is believe to have occurred as a Chinese weather satellite flew 530 miles over the Sichuan province. If the asat test is verified, it will signify a major new Chinese military capability. Although more of a "policy weapon" at this time, it shows that the Chinese military can threaten the imaging reconnaissance satellites operated by the United States, Japan, Russia, Israel and Europe.
China's growing military space capability is one major reason the administration last fall formed the nation's first new National Space Policy in a decade.
At a Dec. 13, 2006, speech to the George C. Marshall Institute, a private think tank, Robert Joseph, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, likened access to space to free navigation of the open seas (DAILY, Dec. 14, 2006).
by Richard Fisher, Jr.
Published on January 20th, 2007
ARTICLES
"China is believed to be conducting research and development on a direct-ascent ASAT [anti-satellite] system that could be fielded in the 2005-2010 timeframe."[1] This prediction from the 2003 Department of Defense annual report on Chinese military modernization became a reality on January 11, 2007 when a Chinese direct ascent ASAT intercepted and destroyed a Chinese weather satellite over China.
According to U.S. government sources, on January 11, 2007, China launched a missile which intercepted and destroyed a Chinese FY-1C weather satellite as it passed over China. This was first reported on January 17 by Craig Covault, the respected space reporter for Aviation Week and Space Technology.[2] On the morning of January 18, Reuters reported U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe as saying with a "�a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile, the test knocked out an aging Chinese weather satellite about 537 miles above the earth on January 11 through "kinetic impact," or by slamming into it."[3]
On January 19 Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman Liu Jianchao declined to confirm what the U.S. assuredly knew, saying, "So far we have not got any confirmed information about this." He then assured, "There's no need to feel threatened about this�We are not going to get into any arms race in space."[4] The reality is that after years of denying itself an operational ASAT capability, the United States has none, and now faces the prospect of such an arms race. Furthermore, the United States and its allies must confront the additional challenges of China as a military-space power and also consider the real price of future cooperation with China in space.
KT-1 ASAT
From the details disclosed by NSC spokesman Gordon Johndroe, it is possible to conclude tentatively that China tested an ASAT version of its Katzouie-1 (Pioneer-1, KT-1) mobile, solid fuel space launch vehicle (SLV), derived from the People�s Liberation Army (PLA) DF-21 medium range ballistic missile. The KT-1 was first revealed at the November 2000 Zhuhai Airshow in conjunction with Tsinghua University�s then also new "Tsinghua-1" microsatellite, which had just been launched the previous June by a Russian booster. At the November 2002 Zhuhai show an official from the China Aerospace Solid Propellant Launch Vehicle company (ASLV) of the China Aerospace Science and Industry (CASIC) consortium confirmed this author�s suspicion that the KT-1 was based on the DF-21. About 38 to 50 of the 1,700km to 2,500km range DF-21s serves in the dedicated Second Artillery missile service of the PLA.
KT-1: Model of the KT-1 mobile solid fuel SLV, seen at the 2002 Zhuhai show, which very likely formed the basis for the ASAT launcher used by China to destroy a weather satellite on January 11, 2007. Credit: RD Fisher
At the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow a CASIC official stated that the KT-1 has so far accomplished four test launches. The first test in September 2002 reportedly ended in failure. It is likely there have been additional unreported tests since 2004.
A brochure from the ASLV states the KT-1 uses solid fuel motors for its four stages, and that it can launch up to a 100kg payload into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or to a Polar Orbit, in which a satellite revolved around the North and South poles. Polar orbits are usually used by observation and surveillance satellites, be they for weather, ground mapping, resource management or military reconnaissance missions. Japan, India, South Korea and Taiwan operate surveillance satellites that use Polar Orbits, as does the United States.
At the 2002 Zhuhai show ASLV displayed a video showing how the a KT-1 SLV could be transported and launched from a truck-based transporter-erector-launcher (TEL).
As has been reported previously by this analyst, this combination of a microsatellite and a mobile and solid-fuel SLV is ideally suited for anti-satellite missions.[5] A mobile SLV does not rely on fixed launch facilities, which then require waiting for a targeted satellite to fly over the launch facility. A mobile SLV can be pre-positioned on Chinese, or even foreign territory, in anticipation of a target satellite fly-over, in order to conduct a surprise attack.
KT-1 Brochure: CASIC brochure showing components of the KT-1. Credit: CASIC
A KT-1 ASAT Benefits From Foreign Technology
If the assumption that China�s first direct ascent ASAT is based on the KT-1 SLV proves correct, then it is also possible to conclude that China�s first direct ascent ASAT benefits directly from U.S. and British space technology. According to a Chinese engineer who worked with Fourth Academy of the China Aerospace Corporation, responsible for solid rocket motors, China was only able to make the rocket motor for the DF-21 work reliably after receiving solid fuel rocket motor insulation technology from the former U.S. Martin Marietta Corporation.[6] This engineer stated, "Before we received this help from the United States, China had never succeeded in developing propellants powerful enough to be used for strategic-range solid-fuel rockets."[7] In early 2000 the U.S. fined Lockheed, which had by this point purchased Martin Marietta, $13 million for violating U.S. export control laws in relation to this case.[8]
China�s ASAT kill vehicle used in the January 11 demonstration also very likely benefits from China�s access to foreign micro and nano satellite technology. China jumped into the forefront of micro satellite technology in October 1998, when Tsinghua University entered into a co-development contract with Britain�s Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.[9], perhaps the world�s leading microsat firm. This cooperation enabled Tsinghua to build its 50kg Tsinghua-1 micro satellite, which was launched in June 2000 along with Surrey�s 6.7 kg (14 lb) Snap-1 nano satellite, which photographed the Tsinghua-1. China has since produced many different types of micro and nano satellites, launching its first NS-1 nano satellite in April 2004.
KT-2 and Beyond
At the 2002 Zhuhai show ASLV revealed two new SLVs, the larger KT-2 and even larger KT-2A. A ASLV spokesman said that the KT-2 was derived from the DF-31 ICBM. It is expected to lift one 300kg payload into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) (22,000 mile altitude) or to a polar orbit. Finally, the KT-2A SLV is a larger KT-2 that is very likely analogous to the DF-31A ICBM. With two solid-fuel strap-on boosters, this SLV is capable of carrying three 100kg payloads or one 400kg payload.[10] According to ASLV Co. brochures, both the KT-2 and KT-2A were to be ready by 2005, but this cannot be confirmed. The KT-2 and KT-2A can be also be launched from a truck-based TEL, or possibly from a transport aircraft.[11]
Future ASATS ?: KT family of SLV: KT-2, KT-2A and KT-1. Credit: RD Fisher
For potential ASAT missions, the KT family can cover most contingencies. The KT-1 can intercept target satellites in Low Earth Orbit (@200 mile altitude) or higher Polar Orbits. LEO satellites comprise a large number of communication satellites, while as noted earlier; Polar Orbits are used by many surveillance satellites. GTO is used by higher altitude U.S. surveillance satellites like the DPS missile launch warning satellites or electronic or signals intelligence satellites (ELINT/SIGINT). Lower 12,000 mile altitudes are used by U.S. navigation satellites, known as Global Positioning Satellites (GPS).
But China may also be developing an even more flexible ASAT launcher. At the 2006 Zhuhai Airshow the China Aerospace Corporation revealed its Air Launched Launch Vehicle (ALLV), which is a small solid fueled missile launched from a PLA Xian H-6 medium bomber. It is very similar in shape and concept to the U.S. Orbital Corporation�s Pegasus air-launched SLV. Brochure information released at the show indicate it can loft a 50kg payload to an altitude of 500km (310 miles) meaning it is confined to Low Earth Orbit. One advantage for the ALLV is that it can achieve a launch position much faster than the KT family. It is possible that with first-stage strap-on boosters the AALV might be able to reach Polar Orbits.
ALLV: Air Launched Launch Vehicle model revealed for the first time at the 2006 Zhuhai Airshow. Credit: Chinese Internet
Furthermore, Chinese military academic writings indicate that the PLA may also be considering using nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines to launch direct ascent ASAT missiles. In early 2004 one Chinese author with the Dalian Naval Academy noted, "By deploying just a few anti-satellite nuclear submarines in the ocean, one can seriously threaten the entire military space system of the enemy. In addition to anti-satellite operations, these nuclear submarines can also be used for launching low orbit tactical micro-satellites to serve as powerful real time battlefield intelligence support."[12]
Long Standing Concerns Confirmed
It can now be concluded that the longstanding concern of many in the U.S. defense and intelligence community about China�s development of military space capabilities has been proven correct. Beginning with the first 1998 Congress-mandated Department of Defense report to the Congress on Chinese military modernization, the U.S. intelligence community has warned of Chinese interest in using high-power lasers to damage or even destroy U.S. satellites. However, none of the Pentagon reports acknowledged what was disclosed in September 2006 by the U.S. publication Defense News: China has actually fired lasers at U.S. satellites, amounting to "several tests over the past several years."[13] This report then says, "�The Chinese are very strategically minded and are extremely active in this arena," said one senior former Pentagon official. �They really believe all the stuff written in the 1980s about the high frontier and are looking at symmetrical and asymmetrical means to offset American dominance in space.�"[14]
Indeed, Chinese analysts have long noted the deep dependence upon, and thus vulnerability of United States to attacks against its military space assets.[15] There is also an extensive Chinese literature on space warfare.[16] As the recent ASAT test demonstrates, China is actively preparing to contest military control of outer-space. Apparently, in recent years there has been some debate within the PLA over which service should control military-space[17], with recent reporting tending toward the future formation of anew and independent "Space Force" directly subordinate to the PLA�s leading body, the Central Military Commission.[18] Such an independent Space Force, according to these reports, would favor the CMC�s General Armaments Department, which currently controls all of China�s space activities, from manned Shenzhou space capsule missions to the January 11 ASAT test. The PLA Air Force has also been bucking for the space warfare job.
It is worthwhile to consider what other systems China may employ for a future "Space Force." Inasmuch as China has used all of its unmanned and manned missions of its six Shenzhou manned space capsules to perform both civil and military missions, one has to consider that future Chinese space stations may also be outfitted to perform military missions.[19] At the 2006 Zhuhai show China revealed the most detailed model of its proposed Space Lab, about the size of the former Soviet era Salyut space station, some of which the Soviets armed with cannon and used for military missions. It would logical to expect that when China launches its space lab, and subsequent larger space stations, they could either initially fly with military equipment, or be given new module that could contain weapons or surveillance equipment when needed.
Modular Space Lab Concept: China�s modular space lab concept means that military modules equipped with anti-satellite weapons or other military equipment can be fitted after the lab is initially launched. Credit: Chinese Internet
China�s successful ASAT test also points toward another potential interest: developing anti-ballistic missile (ABM) capabilities. Many of the technologies needed to track target satellites and then kill them are applicable to shooting down faster intercontinental ballistic missile warheads. Indeed, China�s first ABM program dates back to the 1950s, when China started its ballistic missile program. China even developed prototype ABM missiles similar in configuration to the first generation U.S. Sprint ABMs. The ABM mission might be another for a potential PLA Space Force.
Cooperation in Space?
For several years there have been many in and outside the U.S. government who have favored doing something with China in outer space, from outreach to outright space cooperation.[20] The Bush Administration has initiated an official dialogue with China, sending National Aeronautics and Space Administration Director Michael Griffin to China in September 2006, but achieving no agreement for cooperation.[21] Advocates of caution in space cooperation with China have repeatedly pointed to the direct role of the People�s Liberation Army in all of China�s space activities, and the potential for any level of U.S. cooperation to benefit China�s military-space power. This warning was delivered by the 1998-99 bi-partisan Select Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, chaired by former Congressman Christopher Cox. It has direct relevance to the latest January 11 ASAT test.
The company that very likely developed China�s first direct ascent ASAT is a creature of the People�s Liberation Army. In May 2000 the China Aerospace Solid-propellent Launch Vehicle Co. Ltd. (ASLV) was formed to build a solid fueled mobile space launch vehicle.[22] This company�s close relationship to the PLA was illustrated in that its establishment ceremony was attended by former CMC Vice Chairman General Liu Huaqing, and then Vice Commander of the Second Artillery General Huang Cisheng.[23] China would dearly like to sign up paying customers to launch their economic micro or nano satellites. But doing so would constitute a direct subsidy for China�s ASAT program.
Despite the repeatedly proven relationship between China�s civil and military space sectors, there appears to be an inconsistent message from Europe. On January 18, 2007 European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated that the EU was not ready to lift its 1989 arms embargo on China.[24] However, on January 17, 2007 European Space Agency Chief Jean-Jacques Dordain was advocating manned space cooperation with China, saying, "I would like very much to discuss this with our Chinese partners, if they make the proposal�At the moment, we have a lot of cooperation with China in other space exploration domains, but not yet in the field of manned flights."[25] However, there is no assurance that China would not take what it might learn from such cooperation with Europe and apply it to future military-space capabilities.
Conclusion
China has been one of the most forceful proponents of the demilitarization of outer space, yet on January 11 it took the most profound step toward starting a new military-space race. China�s denials of its January 11 test are reminiscent of its many denials that it transferred nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan and Iran as well as missile technology to these and other countries. In the area of proliferation, and now space, China is proving that it does not want to abide by norms or rules written by the West. Despite the fact that both its nuclear proliferation and now its military space proliferation will create more dangers for the Chinese people, China�s Communist Party leadership has decided that both are in its interests.
The United States and its allies are now faced with a new reality. The relatively new surveillance satellites of India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, plus the many more military and civilian satellites of the United States and her European allies are under threat. So too are Russian systems.
Having denied itself an ASAT capability, starting with the cancelled development of F-15 fighter launched ASAT missiles in the 1980s, the United States (and the other countries mentioned) would appear to lack any means to retaliate against a potential Chinese space attack.
[1] Report to Congress Pursuant to the 2000 National Defense Authorization Act, Annual Report On The Military Power Of The People�s Republic of China, US Department of Defense, 2003, p. 36, http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/20030730chinaex.pdf
[2] Craig Covault, "Chinese Test Anti Satellite Weapon," Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 17, 2007.
[3] "U.S. voices concern over China satellite-killer test," Reuters, January 18, 2007.
[4] "PRC FM Spokesman: Space Program is �No Threat,�" Agence France Presse, January 19, 2007.
[6] Kenneth Timmerman, "Chinese missiles in the new world order," The Washington Times, May 24, 2000, p. A19. The author also had the pleasure to interview this brave individual.
[7] Timmerman, op-cit.
[8] David E. Sanger, "U.S. Fines Lockheed $13 Million in China Satellite Case," The New York Times, June 14, 2000, p. 8.
[9] Press Release, Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd., October 14, 1998.
[10] Brochure, Aerospace Solid-propellant Launch Vehicle Co., obtained at the 2002 Zhuhai Airshow.
[11] Lu Xiaoge and Sun Zifa, "China Successfully Develops the �Pioneer� Series of Solid Fuel Carrier Rockets," Zhongguo Xinwen She, October 12, 2002, in FBIS CPP20021012000035.
[12] Liu Huanyu, Dalian Naval Academy, "Sea-Based Anti-Satellite Platform," Jianchuan Kexue Jishu, February 1, 2004.
[13] Vago Muradian, "China attempted To Blind U.S. Satellites With Laser," Defense News, September 21, 2006, p. 1.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Wang Hucheng, "The US Military's 'Soft Ribs' and Strategic Weaknesses." Liaowang, July 5, 2000, in FBIS, CPP20000705000081; Wei Qiyong, Qin Zhijin, Liu Erxun, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Beijing, "Analysis of Changing Emphasis in U.S. Space Strategy," Daodan yu Hangtian Yunzai Jishu, August 10, 2002, p. 1-4, in FBIS, CPP20021204000178.
[16] For an insightful review of Chinese writings on anti-satellite and space warfare see, An Assessment of China�s Anti-Satellite and Space Warfare Programs, Policies and Doctrines, Prepared for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission by Michael P. Pillsbury, PhD, Report submitted to the Commission by the author on 19 January 2007, http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2007/FINAL_REPORT_1-19-2007_REVISED_BY_MPP.pdf
[17] Disclosed to the author by a PLA officer in November 2004.
[18] Chin Chien-li, "PRC is preparing to form a space force," Chien Shao, July 1, 2005, pp. 52-55; "China's 'Space Army' Is Taking Shape," Hsiang Kang Shang Pao, October 13, 2005, p. 4.
[19] See authors "China�s Manned Military Space Ambitions," International Assessment and Strategy Center, October 10, 2005.
[20] For pro-cooperation arguments see, Joan Johnson-Freese, "Space Wei Qi, The Launch of Shenzhou 5," Naval War College Review, Spring 2004; Dr. Jeffery Lewis, "Engage China, Engage The World," Spece.com, http://www.space.com/adastra/china_engagement_0505.html
[21] "NASA chief ends China visit with praise for program, but future cooperation plans unclear," Associated Press, September 27, 2006.
[22] Brochure, Aerospace Solid Launch Vehicle Co. Ltd.; Wei Long, "China To Develop Solid Propellant Rocket," Space Daily, May 31, 2000.
[23] Brochure, Aerospace Solid-propellant Launch Vehicle Co., obtained at the 2002 Zhuhai Airshow.
You do realize that the satellite moved before the test? A ground based system is somewhat limited in its capabilities.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
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"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
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"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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why the hell is the U.S so quickly threatened by every nations need to enhance their capability.. thats ridiculously paranoid, not everyones a pending threat
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It's been a long while since I posted here. ASAT weapons are NOTHING new but few or none had or have been operationally deployed hence the development of counter ASAT weapons have been protracted because their is or was no specific threat definition that weapon designers can work on until now. This does not mean that the USAF have abandoned satellite defense altogether, this only means that these programs will now be made among the air forces' top priorities. Since the 1990's the USAF have been working on SATELLITE BODYGUARDS. A small constellation of defensive satellites (approximately five) placed in close proximity to the protected asset. "Hunter-killers" actively seek out threats and incapacitate them with directed energy weapons. Detection of threats from the surface or air is done by an off-board sensor suite and supplied to the "hunter-killer" satellites. Detection of space-based threats is done by the "hunter-killer" satellites themselves. Decoy satellites appear identical (both electromagnetic and visual) to the protected assets to confuse an aggressor; when approached, the decoy can impact and disable the enemy craft or kill vehicle/s. The American protests regarding this matter is self-explanatory for this is clearly a warning shot aimed squarely at America's space assets.
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By Richard Spencer in Beijing
Last Updated: 2:08am GMT 20/01/2007
There is probably no better way to get China's nationalists to demand a Great Leap Forward in military spending than to tell them they are two decades behind the United States.
Yet that is what happened after Beijing's use of a ground-based missile to take out a redundant weather satellite was revealed to the world on Thursday night. The United States, experts pointed out, carried out this sort of test in the 1980s, and abandoned them because they made too much mess.
When it comes to its strategic interests, Beijing does not care much about making a mess, particularly 530 miles up in space.
The American public may now be lulled into a false sense of security by the "been there, done that" attitude prevalent in some quarters; or it may be sent into a panic that a new communist rival is about to replace it as Top Nation. But China's leaders will not be taken in by either myth, and will instead keep a cool eye on what really matters.
Despite appearances, what really matters to China is not whether its military and its space programme can catch up with America's.
In the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a zero-sum, winner-takes-all competition for supremacy. It was conducted across all fronts: military, economic, philosophical, cultural. It was waged, at different points, in every corner of the world.
The real reason, some analysts say, why anti-satellite missile tests were dropped was because they denied the rule of the game. By trying to knock out the other side's advanced warning system, you showed you intended a first strike, and that called into question the argument that mutually assured destruction created a "safe" balance of power.
But in the coming competition for influence between the United States and China, China is neither claiming a "balance" nor trying to challenge America across the board. Economically, it believes in the American dream — more, perhaps, than America itself. Internationally, it does not desire to impose an alternative model to America's on the Middle East, or Europe — or at all.
Instead, it has a set of limited but clear strategic goals, to last it for the next two decades. By that time, it hopes, its economy, society, maybe even politics will have changed so that anything is possible.
One of those goals is to develop the ability to retake Taiwan, which it wants to "reunite" with the Motherland, by force if necessary. That also means deterring Taiwan's ally, America, from intervening to save it.
Another is to ensure no-one interferes with its general "sovereignty", whether in the Muslim west, Tibet, or anywhere else. A third is to ensure its economy cannot be disrupted - say by an oil blockade.
Back in the 1950s, the Chinese held the Americans at bay in the Korean War for three years by relying on manpower and patriotic rallying cries. During America's two wars in the Gulf in 1991 and 2003, Iraq tried the same thing and lasted not years, nor even months, but days. So China's generals read the newly published books on asymmetric warfare and decided they could still get America where it hurts.
America might need 12 aircraft carriers to ensure that every ocean under the world is under its control. But all China had to control was the Taiwan Strait - so it bought nuclear submarines.
They looked up and saw America's single greatest strength — the extraordinary satellite technology that enabled it to know where its enemies were and bomb them. And they realized its greatest strength was also its weakness, because while a human can fight back, a satellite cannot.
A satellite, moreover, has many uses. Knocking out a military satellite can deter an army. Knocking out the civilian satellites on which the west - but not the average Chinese peasant - now relies to function can deter a whole nation. Is Taiwan really worth it, to the average American voter?
So it doesn't matter that America is developing its own space weapons and lasers well in advance of last week's missile. The beauty of China's thinking is that it is based on how much more America has to lose: things like aircraft carriers, and elections.
In recent months, China has scanned an American satellite with a laser beam; surfaced a submarine that was apparently trailing a sea-going American battle group without being noticed; and now shown the world its ability to knock out the communications systems on which we all depend.
It is telling us that even though it can't take over the world, it can't be ignored, either.
"Korea has not been the only battle ground since the end of the Second World War. Men have fought and died in Malaya, in Greece, in the Philippines, in Algeria and Cuba, and Cyprus and almost continuously on the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. No nuclear weapons have been fired. No massive nuclear retaliation has been considered appropriate. This is another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin--war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat; by infiltration, instead of aggression, seeking victory by eroding and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him. It is a form of warfare uniquely adapted to what has been strangely called 'wars of liberation,' to undermine the efforts of new and poor countries to maintain the freedom that they have finally achieved. It preys on economic unrest and ethnic conflicts. It requires in those situations where we must counter it, and these are the kinds of challenges that will be before us in the next decade if freedom is to be saved, a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."-President Kennedy's Address at Graduation Exercises of the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
------------------------------
"The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss - the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year - sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."-Yuri Orlov, Lord of War
------------------------------
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus death frees every soul."
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"Kiddyhawk, schools in the US build even smaller microsats. It is really not that much of an acomplishment."
You really needed to knows the specification and ability of these Chinese Micro-Sate in order to compare apple with apple and orange with orange!
IQ Bush, it is now too lates; since your bellicose comments few months ago about USA to dominate entire space, now we kick sand into your face! What are you American government response would be?
In any future war between China and America; both nations satellites will not be safe from now on.
China's muscle flex in space
China spread alarm and consternation among space powers when it destroyed one of its own satellites last week with a missile fired from the ground, thus becoming the first nation in more than two decades to successfully test an anti-satellite weapon. This aggressive show of force puts a wide range of U.S. military and intelligence satellites at risk and holds the danger of starting an arms race in space. Too bad the Bush administration's own bellicose attitudes — and adamant refusal to consider an arms-control treaty for space — give it scant standing to chastise the Chinese. The administration needs to reverse course and join in talks aimed at banning further tests or use of anti-satellite weapons.
The Chinese test, which Beijing has not acknowledged but was tracked by intelligence agencies, destroyed an aging communications satellite some 500 miles, or 800 kilometers, above the Earth. The missile smashed the satellite into hundreds of pieces large enough to pose a danger to spacecraft or satellites that pass through the debris for a decade or more.
The Chinese have now demonstrated that — should they ever choose — they could destroy essential American satellites used to conduct military reconnaissance, spot nuclear tests and direct smart weapons.
A top intelligence official told reporters last August that China had used a ground-based laser to illuminate an American satellite. That could signal a nascent effort to develop a way to blind satellites or to guide a missile to a target in space.
The Bush administration has been flexing its own muscles in space.
A national space policy issued in October declared that "freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power." It asserted a need to deter others from interfering with America's right to operate in space. The policy did not address whether Washington would place weapons in space — as some in the Pentagon have been urging — but the administration continues to oppose any restrictions.
Surely it would make military and diplomatic sense to pursue the opposite course and seek to ban all tests and any use of anti-satellite weapons.
The United States and the Soviet Union successfully tested such weapons decades ago and have no overriding need to develop better versions, although the United States is clearly trying. China's success in matching the feat reportedly came after three earlier tests failed, so the Chinese could only benefit from additional testing. The United States, with many more satellites in orbit than any other power and a military that has become increasingly dependent on satellites, has the most to lose from an unbridled space arms race.
Some experts suggest that China's latest test is intended to prod the United States to join serious negotiations. The way to counter China or any other potentially belligerent power is through an arms control treaty, not a new arms race in space.
Chinese missile that took out the satellite in reality will not work – this is why
Sudhir Chadda
Jan. 20, 2007
China successfully carried out its first test of an anti-satellite weapon last week, signaling its resolve to play a major role in military space activities and bringing expressions of concern from the US. While demonstration on a dead satellite sounded good, technically it also exposed China’s weakness in missile technologies.
In reality a Chinese missile of the kind used in demonstration is useless because of missile detection and neutralization systems already in place by many countries.
The missile shield in Space works much better than the earth. The Satellites easily detect an incoming missile and counter measures are taken to take out the same hundreds of miles away.
The test has done more harm to China because now the other nations have the right to demonstrate what will happen to China if it decides to start attacking satellites. Only two nations — the Soviet Union and the United States — have previously destroyed spacecraft in anti-satellite tests, most recently the US in the mid-1980s.
China just caught up to that. In the last twenty years though the technology demonstrated by America in mid eighties and now by China has become obsolete. Now it is clear that China lags behind by close to twenty years in space technologies.
G R E A T E R C H I N A
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Here following is an article for you about Chinese MicroSat; these program to building Micro and Nano Satellites been going on for many years, going back to 1997.
China Eyes MicroSat Market
by Wei Long
Beijing - June 28, 2000 - China is setting its sight to compete in the microsat international market. Two recent announcements made clear indication that the country wanted to establish its presence in the booming market.
Last month the Harbin Industrial University announced that engineering research was well underway to complete China's first microsat, according to a report in the Harbin Daily on May 30.
Harbin Industrial University leads the effort in researching and developing microsat in China. In 1997 the university assembled a team of more than 30 researchers and technicians from various disciplines to come up with a unified integrated technology system for building a microsat.
The proposed system received approval in July 1998. Since then the team moved on to the stage of engineering research and prototyping.
On a separate front, both the official Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily reported in the past two days that a new company had been set up here recently to develop and market microsat and detector technologies.
The company, the Aerospace Tsinghua Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (ATST), received an official sanction from the State Administration of Industry. Financial backing came from the China Aerospace Machinery and Electronics Corporation, the Tsinghua University Enterprise Group, and the Tsinghua Tongfang Co. Ltd.
This is the first time the high-tech aerospace industry collaborates with a well-established university to fund and share resources in a joint business venture.
The company will focus on developing microsats and detector technologies, and marketing their applications.
The research and development in this field will create innovative technologies and experiments. Applications of the innovation include surveying resources, forecasting natural disaster, mapping and exploration, monitoring environment and agriculture, navigating and positioning, transmitting information and communications, and reconnaissance of the national border for unexpected events.
In addition to developing new aerospace products, the collaboration with a university will also nurture new talents.
ATST will also cooperate with the newly-formed company Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co. Ltd. (SSRC).
When SSRC was set up a month ago, it announced that the solid fuel rocket would target delivering microsats into space. The cooperation between the two companies will strengthen China's ability to gain a foothold in the expanding market of low-cost satellites.
Why China's Missile Test Is Troubling
By Simon Elegant/Beijing and Mark Thompson/Washington
It's springtime for anti-satellite missiles — again — now that China has fired a missile into space and destroyed an aging weather satellite orbiting 500 miles above the earth. The James Bond-style exercise left a several-hundred- meter-wide cloud of scrap metal floating around in space. Some of the debris could pose a threat to spacecraft passing through the region, scientists say, and will remain a problem for hundreds of years to come. And there will be repercussions on Earth, too.
Protests and expressions of concern were lodged over the test by the U.S., Japan, Canada, South Korea and Australia, but Beijing has so far refused to comment on the issue or even confirm the test took place. "The brazenness of this is a bit frightening," says Mike Green, former senior Bush Administration Asia adviser. "It shows that the Peoples Liberation Army has considerable leeway — a great deal of influence if not autonomy — to increase their capacity even at considerable diplomatic cost."
The reason for all the fuss is simple: the test potentially marks a major step forward in China's ability to nullify the huge technological advantage of the U.S. in any clash over Taiwan. While Western intelligence agencies have long been aware that the People's Liberation Army was attempting to develop an anti-satellite system, the successful targeting of a single satellite in high orbit marks a significant milestone. When the Pentagon issued its annual report to Congress on China's Military Power last summer it stated that "China can currently destroy or disable satellites only by launching a ballistic missile or space-launch vehicle armed with a nuclear weapon." All that has now changed.
The development recalls the competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union two decades ago to be the first to develop an astral flyswatter capable of blasting the other guy's satellites to smithereens. Moscow's was crude, but effective: a lumbering orbiting nuclear warhead that would detonate close to an enemy satellite. Washington came up with a finer blueprint, trying to perfect what Pentagon officials called their "flying tomato can," launched atop a missile flung from an F-15 fighter.
But as the Cold War sputtered to a conclusion, so did this quest for space weaponry. Now, the Chinese have mastered the tomato can. And by doing so at a distance from Earth greater than the one at which most critical U.S. satellites orbit, Beijing has demonstrated a capability, however limited, of punching out Washington's technological eyes. Indeed, it was reported last September that China had "painted" a U.S. satellite using a ground-based laser.
The Dr. Strangelovian angle on what the Pentagon calls ASAT — anti-satellite — weapons is that a foe could use them to blind key U.S. spy satellites as the first punch in a massive war. While such a notion carried some weight during the Cold War, such a war seems markedly less likely in today's world, some U.S. officials believe. Still, developing its anti-satellite capability is only one of a series of steps China is taking aimed at leveling out the playing field in case of a clash with the U.S. Other examples include the training of units designed to hack into military computers, and the development of massive shore-to-ship missile batteries that would make it very difficult for U.S. carrier groups to approach China's coast. The U.S. dependence on its technological edge is considerable: Green explains that in recent joint exercises held with the Indian Air Force, less technologically advanced Russian Sukhoi jets defeated American F-15s when the latter were deprived of support from satellite and AWACs systems.
The test and the reluctance, thus far, of Chinese authorities to confirm it, also raises the question of whether the military acted in a semi-autonomous manner. Green notes that there have been occasions in the past when the PLA has appeared to directly breach a diplomatic agreement reached by China's Foreign Ministry, notably over the passage of Chinese submarines through Japanese home waters. And because U.S. officials fear that one scenario in which a conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan could occur involves an independent or rogue action by disgruntled generals, any sign of independent action by the military brass is cause for concern, says Green. In fact, behind the scenes, tensions have already been rising over what U.S. officials say has been a steady build-up of Chinese forces on the coast opposite Taiwan in the last year. Washington has already expressed concern about the build-up to Beijing. The anti-satellite missile test may prompt renewed diplomatic discussion. But it's not clear what effect such expressions of concern will have on Beijing's decision-making.
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States 1924-1929
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Thus making your other post bunk. Point proven. Thanks!
So, China was developing this before Bush came out and said what he said! Maybe Bush found out through the intelligence community about China developing this, and that's why he said what he said. Ever think of that? Of course not. Because when your anger and/or bias blinds your logic (if there is any to begin with), you cannot see the obvious, even when it's staring you right in the face.
Are you joking? This is the same Bush policy of shoot first ask question later that resulted in the axis of evil and Iraq WMD mess. If they had proof China was going to conduct ASAT why not show it earlier? Why are they surprised by China's capability to test so soon? Why noT wait three months to announce their policy because they gain nothing by announcing it earlier? Why not wait until world opinion is on their side?
Your logic is completely off. We observe events and draw conclusion. Bush announced militarization of space is a fact, China tested ASAT three months later is a fact. Therefore, the logical conclusion is that it was a response to Bush. You are arguing that something three months earlier is a response to something three months in the future.
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Now Now Wudi, dont you know everything USA does is good and pure? No need to laugh at patriot over here. AND WHAT A PATRIOT INDEED!
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Technology
Arms race in the universe
The great powers prepare for the war in the orbit: To the arsenal belong rockets, killer satellites, lasers, hacker attacks and jammers. Also the German Federal Armed Forces have now a reconnaissance system in space.
To pulverize “the space technology by rocket in the orbit - that is refined in approximately so, like a high-performance computer with the suggestion hammer to destroy”, says Fritz Merkle, technique executive committee that of Bremen OHB Technology. North German enterprise developed the new spy satellites of the German Federal Armed Forces and built (see box) - and them plentifully thought out safety engineering in the universe gave.
"Why China's Missile Test Is Troubling
By Simon Elegant/Beijing and Mark Thompson/Washington"
Yooo Hooo, PapaSmurfy1;
Your Time article is filled with Shiits and double standard lies; I am still laughing my assshole off!
First of all, the Bloody USA have already tested Anti-Sat missiles and destroy a satellite in space before; so, stop your double standards saying ....... it is fine for USA but not for any other nation to follows what the Stupid American have done!
You American are so phony, you are like the Naked Emperor Without Clothing Fable Story!
Here Is Your Beloved Uncle Sam; Your Dirty American Government Is Standing Naked... Shame On Your Nation!
China''s Asat Test Will Intensify U.S.-Chinese Faceoff in Space
No score for this post
January 23 2007, 3:53 AM
China's successful test of an anti-satellite (Asat) weapon means that the country has mastered key space sensor, tracking and other technologies important for advanced military space operations. China can now also use "space control" as a policy weapon to help project its growing power regionally and globally.
Aviation Week & Space Technology first broke the news of the Chinese Asat test on aviationweek.com Jan. 17.
China performed the test Jan. 11 by destroying the aging Chinese Feng Yun 1C (FY-1C) weather satellite target at 537 mi. altitude. The attack was carried out with a kinetic kill vehicle launched by a small ballistic missile.
U.S. intelligence agencies calculated in advance that the Chinese were ready for the exercise and programmed American eavesdropping and space tracking sensors accordingly to obtain maximum information.
The White House confirmed the Aviation Week article Jan. 18 and warned China that its actions will carry ramifications. "We are concerned about it, and we've made it known," says Tony Snow, the White House spokesman.
"The U.S. believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," said Gordon Johndroe, U.S. National Security Council spokesman. "We and other countries have expressed our concern to the Chinese regarding this action."
The revelation of the Asat test also sparked official condemnation or concern of the Chinese from the governments of Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
The warning about ramifications comes as NASA and the Chinese space agency are continuing talks aimed at closer civil space collaboration. The Asat test will likely further undercut U.S. government enthusiasm for such scientific space cooperation, at a time when the U.S. and China are debating military space policy at the United Nations.
But China's bold move will have greater impact on arguments by factions in the Defense Dept. and aerospace industry for increased U.S. spending on space surveillance and control measures. The Asat test will also likely spur formation of a more robust military strategy focused on China.
Many spacecraft operate in, or at least transit, the area of space where the attack occurred, and there are concerns that debris from the test could pose a hazard to these satellites. Air Force Space Command data show that when the kill vehicle impacted the target satellite, debris was ejected from the impact point at velocities of up to 1,400 mph. (2,000 fps.).
China's growing military space capability is a key reason the Bush administration last year formed the nation's first new national space policy in more than a decade. "The policy is designed to ensure that our space capabilities are protected in a time of increasing challenges and threats," says Robert G. Joseph, undersecretary for arms control and international security at the U.S. State Dept. "This is imperative because space capabilities are vital to our national security and to our economic well-being," Joseph said in an address on the policy at the National Press Club in Washington.
Although more of a "policy weapon" at this time, the Chinese Asat shows that the Chinese military can credibly threaten imaging reconnaissance and other satellites operated by the U.S., Japan, Russia, Israel and Europe.
Taiwan also operates a small imaging spacecraft that can photograph objects as small as about 10 ft. in size, a capability good enough to count cruise missiles pointed at Taiwan from the Chinese mainland.
CIA and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) officials are especially concerned about their ability to monitor Chinese weapons developments with satellite reconnaissance because the Chinese have become so adept at camouflage.
The list of countries with space reconnaissance capability grew again last week, with the launch of Egypt's EgyptSat 1 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The CIA, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, NASA and other government organizations have a full-court press underway to process information they collected on the Asat test, which remained highly classified last week.
The spacecraft that was destroyed was launched by the Chinese in 1999 into a Sun-synchronous circular orbit inclined 98.6 deg. The FY-1C had a 5-ft.-square main body with solar arrays spanning 27 ft.
The attack occurred at 5:26 p.m. EST Jan. 11 as the target satellite was 715 mi. from the Xichang launch site in Sichuan province. It was passing about 45 deg. above the horizon at Xichang, as the Chinese ballistic missile with the kill vehicle was launched either directly from Xichang or a site nearby.
Tracking of the target satellite was managed from a large team at the Xian Chinese space tracking control center.
The azimuth from the launch point to the target was about 346 deg., or 15 deg. west of due north. The target in orbit was heading south, so the intercept involved an extremely high-velocity, nearly head-on collision, sources said. Debris from the impact was ejected in all directions at 700-1,400 mph., tracking data indicate.
The event occurred 94 min. before sunrise at Xichang, but the target satellite was in sunlight, enabling excellent monitoring of the event by the Chinese.
Tracking cameras at Xichang had an excellent view of the intercept from the front, while cameras at China's other major launch site at Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert had an equally good viewing angle from behind.
U.S. Air Force Defense Support Program missile warning satellites in geosynchronous orbit detected the Xichang launch of the Asat kill vehicle, and U.S. Air Force Space Command radars monitored the FY-1C orbit both before and after the exercise.
U.S. Space Command had cataloged 32 pieces of debris through Jan. 18, but it's likely the attack left hundreds or thousands of tiny pieces of debris that could orbit for years.
The Air Force reporting on the FY-1C orbital elements have been posted once or twice daily for years, but those reports jumped to about four times per day just before the test.
The USAF radar reports all but ceased Jan. 11, then appeared to show "signs of orbital distress" when resumed temporarily a few days later. By Jan. 18, the data showed multiple debris where the FY-1C spacecraft had been before.
CHINA IS ALSO DEVELOPING A LASER Asat capability and last year illuminated a U.S. reconnaissance satellite with a laser that did no harm. "But it made us think," Donald Kerr, NRO director, said at the time.
Aviation Week reported more than 20 years ago that the U.S. has used lasers to illuminate Chinese and then Soviet satellites to obtain engineering intelligence.
Both the U.S. and former Soviet Union maintained various Asat programs throughout the Cold War. In a 1985 controversial test, a U.S. Air Force F-15 launched a miniature kill vehicle propelled by SRAM/Altair solid rocket motors to impact and destroy the USAF Solwind science spacecraft. In more recent years, the Pentagon has spent nearly $400 million developing a much more advanced KE-Asat kinetic kill vehicle. It was never used in an Asat test, but at least three standby units were built.
The U.S. Air Force still operates the 76th Space Control Sqdn., based at Peterson AFB, Colo.--the service's first offensive and defensive counterspace technology squadron. Mobile teams from the 76th can deploy worldwide to jam enemy satellite communications.
Chinese Missile Destroys Satellite in 500-Mile Orbit
by David Kestenbaum
All Things Considered, January 19, 2007 ¡¤ The governments of Britain, Japan and Australia are voicing concern over China's apparent test of an anti-satellite missile. The United States says China shot down one of its own aging weather satellites last week, in a kind of target practice in low Earth orbit.
Not much information about the event has been released. But scientists say hitting a satellite from the ground takes fairly sophisticated technology.
The satellite was 500 miles above the Earth's surface. The explosion created a cloud of debris in space, adding to the amount of "space junk" circling the Earth.
Hans Kristensen, a weapons expert at the Federation of American Scientists, says that while it has been assumed that China was working to develop such capabilities, the satellite strike still surprised him.
"I was surprised that they were able to do it," Kristensen says.
U.S. officials say the Chinese hit the satellite with the help of a medium-range ballistic missile ¡ª most likely the DF-21.
A satellite is a fairly small thing to hit with a missile. Kristensen says the DF-21 can probably hit a spot on the ground with an accuracy of several hundred feet. But the satellite was probably close to the size of a refrigerator.
So the assumption is that the Chinese device had some sort of advanced guidance system ¡ª maybe a kind of telescope to pick out the satellite. Then, it used thrusters to steer it toward the target. The force of the collision would have destroyed the satellite.
Kristensen says that when the United States and Russia were developing anti-satellite missiles in the 1980s, hitting the target was the hard part.
The United States successfully shot down one of its own satellites in 1985. So could a Chinese missile now take out a U.S. satellite? A rule of thumb is that a missile can go to a height about half of its horizontal range. So this missile might be able to reach an altitude of 600 miles.
The Global Positioning System satellites, now in common use, are much higher, tens of thousands of miles out.
But Kristensen says there are plenty of targets lower in the atmosphere. Spy satellites tend to be very low," he says, "because you need to get close."
David Wright, a physicist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, has been using computer models created by NASA to estimate debris from collisions. He says the latest smash-up would have been the equivalent of a half ton of high explosives going off.
This satellite was maybe 3/4 of a ton in mass," Wright says. "And it would have thrown off about 2 million pieces that were bigger than a millimeter in size. Sounds pretty small but at speed going a millimeter object could be deadly."
Deadly, that is, for other satellites. The odds of the debris hitting something look small he says. But this single event probably doubled the number of pieces of space junk at its altitude range.
This message has been edited by bigtoothbrush on Jan 23, 2007 4:43 AM This message has been edited by bigtoothbrush on Jan 23, 2007 3:58 AM
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so it's a head-on collision. the interceptor reached the target without co-orbitate with the satellite and in a short time-span. it seems superior to all previous russian tests that needed at least one orbit to reach the interception coordinates. the involved techs can be used to develop ABM system.
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I also agreed and fully believes these following words!
"Let's consider the facts.
1. The US shot down its own satellite in the 1980s in its development of satellite killers. More than 20 years later, when China tries to develop this capability, the US protests about inconsistency with Chinese statements about peaceful space use. What about America's satellite killing capability? Bush refused to sign any agreement that will restrict or close down any of such capability. Why then is the US protesting when someone else does it?
2. The US routinely takes spy photos of China using spy satellites and spy planes. Remember the EP3 incident? Why is this NOT provocative? If the US only has goodness in its hearts of hearts, why is it taking spy photos of China? What is the US up to? Does China operate spy planes to spy on the US? How would the US react if China did that? Americans would howl that their space has been violated and react by scrambling jets. Isn't the space above and around China also Chinese territory? If the US doesn't respect the rights of other nations, how can it expect others to respect its rights?
3. The US has been fighting wars overseas in the last 2 decades. These are not wars threatening the survival of the US. US politicians use language to enlarge the 'interests of the US' to such an extent that it allows them to send young men and women into battle over a cause that is hard to understand. I don't understand how fighting in Iraq will help preserve American freedom, liberty and all the good stuff in the US. Most Americans don't know what it feels like to be at war because it's not their homes that are being bombed. Some dude's mud hut gets bombed some far away place in the middle east. Too bad. That's the price of freedom. Whose freedom is it anyway? More infuriatingly, the price is usually paid by some poor innocent Iraqi that happened to be in his or her house when the rockets, bullets or humvee came crashing in. I'm don't agree with suicide bombing but how can you not blame the US for provoking this type of reaction from the middle east? US politicians, soldiers and to an extent its people are responsible for the 911 tragedy. It's tragic because there are non-Americans working in that building when the people that ought to die in there should be Americans. Global polls shown on record that people in most countries, including in the west, dislike the US. Most people think that the US is the cause of a lot of suffering in this world.
I used to admire the US, but now I loathe it. In the Cold War, at least you had the Soviet Union keeping the US in check. Now, we have an imbalance. The US has grown too big, smug and arrogant for its shoes. We need balance. The US must be contained. If you are an American and think so too, you should talk to your congressman, senator or newspaper about this. It won't be easy, but shouldn't American peace with the world be given a chance?
" posted by zheng3pao @CMF, first found in monstersncritics.com
Oh no, these Hindu now join the act to be a cry baby; dear me, the Anti-Sat rocket is going to chase down Great India's Moon and Mars Mission! ROFLMAo
Where do these so called Indian Space expert come from? Since when is Satellites in space fly mission into Mar and Moon?
"China's weapons test a threat to India, experts warn
NEW DELHI, Jan 20 (AFP) Jan 20, 2007"
China's shooting down of a satellite is a threat to India's space program which plans unmanned missions to the moon and Mars, defence experts and the media said Saturday.
"It threatens our own expanding civilian space assets, undermines the credibility of our nuclear deterrent, and exposes New Delhi's lack of a military space strategy," the Indian Express newspaper said in an editorial. "India can either respond with a robust military space effort in collaboration with the US or consign itself to the status of a second-rate power in Asia," the daily said under the headline "Spaced Out?"
There was no official reaction from the Indian government on its Asian neighbour becoming only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to shoot down an object in space.
The shooting of its weather satellite was reported by US spy agencies on Thursday, drawing condemnation from Washington and its Asian allies amid concerns about China's growing military might.
If confirmed, the test would mean China could now theoretically shoot down spy satellites operated by other nations.
However Beijing has played down fears of a military space race while refusing to confirm the shootdown had occurred.
The test is "definitely a concern for all countries with satellite capabilities," K. Santhanam, former chief adviser to the state-funded Defence Research and Development Organisation told the Times of India.
"Satellites, after all, form an important past of communications, command, control and intelligence systems," Santhanam said.
This month the civilian Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched a rocket into space carrying a remote sensing satellite as well as satellites from Indonesia and Argentina.
The ISRO's ambitious space program includes unmanned missions to the moon by 2010 and to Mars by 2013.
"International concern
The US administration publicly demanded that China explain why it had conducted a test of its growing anti-satellite capability. "We know the Chinese have conducted this test," said Tom Casey, a US State Department spokesman. "We certainly want to hear from them in a more detailed way exactly what their intentions are. We don't want to see a situation where there is any militarization of space.""
Here Comrade BigToothBrush; these no shame double talker from US State Department! I like it, the US demanded and answer......; but instead being given the "Talk To The Hand Treatment!" haaa! Haa!
HONG KONG - Apart from demonstrating its capability of engaging in a potential "Star Wars", China's launching of a ground-based ballistic missile to destroy one of its own weather satellites two weeks ago was also intended to deter Taiwan from moving toward independence.
US intelligence agencies have said China conducted a successful launch of a "killer" weapon on January 11, destroying one of its own satellites orbiting more than 800 kilometers above the Earth with a "kinetic kill vehicle" launched from a ballistic missile. China has so far declined to confirm or deny the report.
This has surprised the international community as it is the first time that a ground-based missile has been launched successfully to destroy an orbiting satellite. In the past the US used an air-launched missile to destroy a satellite and the former Soviet Union downed a satellite from Earth orbit. But earlier attempts to shoot down a satellite from ground-based missiles had failed.
It may not be a mere coincidence that China tested the anti-satellite weapon just two weeks after its government published a white paper on national defense, saying that China's national security faces "challenges that cannot be ignored".
The biggest challenge to China's national security and territorial integrity would be a formal declaration of independence in Taiwan, especially if backed by the United States.
"The Taiwan authority has adopted a radical approach toward Taiwan independence ... posing a serious threat to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the white paper says. "The United States has repeatedly reiterated it would uphold the 'one China' policy, opposing Taiwan independence. But the US continues to sell advanced military equipment and to strengthen its military liaison and exchange with Taiwan."
According to China's Anti-Secession Law, passed in March 2005, China will use military force against Taiwan if the island formally declares independence. The US has pledged to help militarily defend the island from an attack from the mainland. And Beijing is also concerned that the US may encourage Japan to assist in any military action over Taiwan.
The white paper also warns of the danger of a US-led strategic realignment in Asia. "The United States and Japan are strengthening their military alliance in pursuit of operational integration. Japan seeks to revise its constitution and exercise collective self-defense. Its military posture is becoming more external-oriented. The DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] has launched missile tests and conducted a nuclear test. Thus the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia has become more complex and challenging."
Reading the white paper, one can easily draw a conclusion that a major aim of China's military buildup is to prepare for war against Taiwan, with possible US intervention taken into consideration.
From this point of view, it is no surprise to see China's test of an anti-satellite weapon. According to China's strategists, the country needs its own "killer" weapons or tactics to win in an asymmetrical war.
Some analysts in Beijing say that more surprises of this kind can be expected in the near future as the hope for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan becomes increasingly slim given the current Taiwanese government's pro-independence stance.
"While Beijing wants to maintain the status quo on the [Taiwan] Strait, Taiwan leaders keep taking provocative moves in recent years to challenge the 'one China' principle," one analyst said. "[Taiwanese President] Chen Shui-bian now openly talks about China and Taiwan being two 'independent countries'. Under such circumstances, 'peaceful reunification' seems one-sided wishful thinking."
Before retiring as chairman of the Central Military Commission two years ago, former Chinese president Jiang Zemin appeared to have given up hope for a peaceful solution of the Taiwan issue, reportedly saying, "A cross-strait war is inevitable." And upon his retirement, he reportedly gave a farewell gift to each CMC member - a statue of Zheng Chenggong (aka Koxinga), a Ming Dynasty general who led Chinese troops to take Taiwan back from the Dutch in 1662.
Over the years, Beijing's leaders have learned the hard way that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party wins votes by talking up independence and thus provoking the mainland into retaliating in a way that hands the DPP a weapon, harping on the "China threat". Missile tests in the strait also helped Kuomintang president Lee Teng-hui win re-election in 1996.
Beijing has learned a lesson and now acts with more sophistication to avoid direct confrontation, particularly with the US. In this sense, the launching of a missile to destroy a satellite could serve the purpose of deterring Taiwan without direct provocation.
A People's Liberation Army source in Beijing said this month's missile test is a logical development of China's military modernization. "China is a huge country, and we need equivalent military muscle. [Late Chinese leader] Deng Xiaoping said, 'Backwardness means waiting to be beaten up.' China can no longer sit idle waiting to be beaten up."
China is still two to three decades behind the US in military modernization. Because of the US involvement in the Taiwan issue, therefore the mainland military needs to develop its own weapons or measures to offset its disadvantages in case a cross-strait war erupts with US intervention, he said.
International concern
The US administration publicly demanded that China explain why it had conducted a test of its growing anti-satellite capability. "We know the Chinese have conducted this test," said Tom Casey, a US State Department spokesman. "We certainly want to hear from them in a more detailed way exactly what their intentions are. We don't want to see a situation where there is any militarization of space."
State Department officials met with officials from the Chinese Embassy last Tuesday, and diplomats in Beijing met with Chinese officials on Wednesday. Casey said one question the test raised was whether this was a one-off event or part of a broader initiative. Britain, Japan and Australia joined the United States in voicing concern.
The New York Times quoted Chong-Pin Lin, a Taiwanese expert on China's military, as saying, "This is the other face of China, the hard power side that they usually keep well hidden. They talk more about peace and diplomacy, but the push to develop lethal, high-tech capabilities has not slowed down at all."
US intelligence agencies believe that China launched the "killer" rocket from its Xichang spaceport and guided it into a high-speed head-on collision.
The New York Times recalled that at an international air show in Zhuhai in November, the Guangzhou-based newspaper Information Times and other state-run media carried a short interview with an unidentified military official boasting that China had already completely ensured that it has second-strike capability. China could protect is retaliatory forces because it could destroy satellites in space.
Having a weapon that can disable or destroy satellites is considered a component of China's unofficial doctrine of asymmetrical warfare, the New York Times said, noting that China's army strategists have written that the military intends to use relatively inexpensive but highly disruptive technologies to impede the better-equipped and better-trained US forces in the event of an showdown over Taiwan.
But not everyone concedes that China has destroyed an orbiting satellite. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said that talk about a Chinese ballistic missile having hit a satellite is made up of "highly exaggerated rumors. I have heard reports to that effect, and they are quite abstract. I'm afraid they don't have such an anti-satellite capability. The rumors are highly exaggerated," Ivanov told reporters in Moscow.
Retired colonel-general Leonid Ivashov, the former head of the Russian Defense Ministry's International Military Cooperation Department, was quoted as saying that the Chinese weapon was modeled on the Soviet IS-1 missile designed to destroy satellites that was developed in the 1970s.
But a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Liu Jianchao, declined to confirm or deny that China had downed a satellite. "So far, I have not been informed about it by relevant authorities. China has always stood for the peaceful uses of outer space and against introducing weapons into outer space,'' he said.
Some experts in the US played down the significance of the test, saying China apparently used simple technology. "It's pretty low-tech. It's essentially like throwing a rock at someone," said space-security analyst Laura Grego, of the Union of Concerned Scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Grego said the technology required for such a test is not very sophisticated and is practically in the reach of other countries as well. "Essentially any country that can put a satellite in orbit could launch a weapon to destroy one."
She said the launch vehicle was probably just an ordinary medium-range ballistic missile, but the real challenge was to get the weapon to hit the 1.5-meter-wide target.
"Information about satellite positions from ground-based tracking alone is not precise enough to allow a missile to hit a satellite, so the missile would have needed a built-in homing device to zero in on the satellite," she said. "This could be done with a video camera that records the satellite's position, while thrusters adjust the missile's course to guide it into a collision."
(Copyright 2007 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved.
