Escalation in the Weaponization of Space?

[BNaylor]

Very interesting development with China. It caught the U.S. and other countries off guard.

China successfully carried out its first test of an antisatellite 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

New York Times article here.

opcorn:

[xeroinfinity]

Hell Bob you or I could probly biuld a rocket that would go that high.

Not that I could build a guidence system to track the satellites.

I'm not certain "who's" sattellite is was .....
Could have been the ones that track around China and Vietnam/Korea. Thiers also ones that trak around Iran and Iraq

I cant tell you how I know this though

The whole mid east is getting pretty freaking scarry!
I have 4 relatives who are stationed in or around Iran/Iraq/turkey.
They are all trying to finish up thier terms,
and going to try and get the hell out why the gettin's good.

Real uncertain place to be right now

[ericn1300]

The USA was aware of China's efforts to militarize it's space program, but didn't think they'd actually nock out one of their own sattelites in a test. Not really sure what they were trying to prove as adequate testing could be done with actually destroying anything. And now there's another debris field from the event to deal with.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Hell Bob you or I could probly biuld a rocket that would go that high.

Not that I could build a guidence system to track the satellites.

I'm not certain "who's" sattellite is was .....
Could have been the ones that track around China and Vietnam/Korea. Thiers also ones that trak around Iran and Iraq

It was supposedly an old Chinese weather satellite so it was one of theirs. The concern now is space debris. If your dish satellite system goes out you can blame the Chinese.....lol. Nonetheless, even though it took them 20 years they have the capability now. Whatever guidance or navigation system used a direct kinetic kill is impressive. The launch vehicle was a ballistic missile.

Of course, the U.S. has been working on knocking out the missile before they get into space to kill our satellites. We had a successful test last fall. A direct hit against a ballastic missile with an anti-ballastic missile is more complex and harder to do.

You know one of my sons is in the U.S. Air Force, Reconnaisance Special Ops ("Dragon Lady") stationed in the far east but he just extended his tour of duty so naturally I am concerned as a parent.

Hopefully what we gain from all of this is you never underestimate the enemy especially, if China and/or North Korea (Asians). Last time we did that we got our rear ends kicked in Vietnam and in a Mexican standoff with the N. Koreans.

[xeroinfinity]

I see, debris does suck!
I would kick those little tiny chinaman's asses if I loose my satellite feed

Especially on playoffs weekend

"dragon lady"
I love thier secret code names.

This war is complicated.
Today that one guys your friend,
tomarrow "he's" a damn bomb and ready to kill himself and anyone around.

THIER ARE NO VIRGINS!
ALa's done screwed them all

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

"dragon lady"
I love thier secret code names.

Actually JC the name "Dragon Lady" is no secret and unclassified public information. "DL" is the U2 Spy plane (super improved version). If I tell you anything else they will send someone to kill me.

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Hopefully what we gain from all of this is you never underestimate the enemy especially, if China and/or North Korea (Asians). Last time we did that we got our rear ends kicked in Vietnam

We didn't get our butts kicked by the Vietnamese. Our lovely government was the reason for that.

Originally Posted by bnaylor

in a Mexican standoff with the N. Koreans.

Actually we did well against the Koreans. It was actually the Chinease who we just couldn't get.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Of course, the U.S. has been working on knocking out the missile before they get into space to kill our satellites. We had a successful test last fall. A direct hit against a ballastic missile with an anti-ballastic missile is more complex and harder to do.

hitting a missle in it's slower boost stage is much easier, but you have to be very close to the target and you have a very short window in time to react. ballistic to ballistic is preferable because of the extended desicion making time allowed. until then we need the best intelligence we can get, glad your son is out there protecting us.

looks like another arms race to me.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

We didn't get our butts kicked by the Vietnamese. Our lovely government was the reason for that.

We lost a few battles and ultimately the war due to under estimating the enemy and that was my point. The N. Vietnamese both Viet Cong and the regulars were quite intelligent and resilient. Although many claim it was not a military defeat but a "political defeat only" getting defeated is losing period and that is how history has it recorded. The first major battle in 1965, Battle of Ia Drang which got the war in full swing rattled lot of the soldiers including the Commander, Lt. Col. Hal Moore who was a West Point graduate and a good combat officer. Of course, we won that battle. As a matter of fact I had the honor of talking to General Moore up at West Point. The American casualty rate both total deaths and wounded for the total 10 years speaks for itself no how matter you cut the cake.

Originally Posted by Muscletang

Actually we did well against the Koreans. It was actually the Chinease who we just couldn't get.

We did pretty good against the Red Chinese too. My father lived to tell about it and my mother is living proof that something we did militarily came out right. She is South Korean by the way. And she has always been appreciative of that fact.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by ericn1300

glad your son is out there protecting us.

looks like another arms race to me.

Thanks. He makes me proud. Also, my oldest son is an upperclassman Cadet at USMA, West Point. Infantry officer and probably destined for Iraq if we are stuck there for the next couple of years.

Arms race is possible. I'm quite sure the space shuttle could be put into use in that area too. I guess Ronald Reagan's vision is panning out. Remember the Star Wars concept and project.

[nismogt_rfreak]

If China really wants to get at our military's tech level, they would have to put themselves into huge debt. Unless China continues to steal our tech. They've already stolen AEGIS and Blackhawk helicopter engines, possibly stealth bomber designs, and they were caught in the act of trying to acquire jet engines. As soon as we and Isreal are done with THEL, they're going to "invent" the same thing but with a different acronym.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by nismogt_rfreak

As soon as we and Isreal are done with THEL, they're going to "invent" the same thing but with a different acronym.

Yeah, I've heard about the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL). There was a successful shoot down of Katyusha rocket at White Sand Missile Range several years ago.

MTHEL Data

[xeroinfinity]

As Bob said , Tactical High Energy Laser are old news.

You'd be surprised what probly exists right now

Our tecnology advances at an alarming rate any more.
So by the time these other third world countrys do develope something "high tech",
We will be some much more advanced.

Where do you think all those tax dollars go....
The Department of Defense, priority #1

You all heard about the UFO sightings a while back

Next thing you know we'll all be fighting with remote controlled fighters and tanks from some warehouse in Neveda or Idaho

[taranaki]

Seems rather strange that some people get so jittery when it looks like other countries are developing weapons that are already in the hands of some of the most militant nations............

[nismogt_rfreak]

Well considering that they were caught trying to acquire jet engines AND they made an exact copy of AEGIS down to the last little peice (only with a different acronym), I think we have every reason to be jittery.