The weaponized laser system that is rumored to be in use by our Military is likely the result of "Star Wars" (circa Ronald Reagan). I used to hope that we have a super top secret defense plan in operation in orbit around the earth. Note there has been a lot of resourced put into taking out enemy satellites (from all sides). I expect by now, we may have fallen behind in the weaponized orbit department.
I can only imagine that in full scale world war, GPS systems around the world would be attacked, among other satellites. Question is, do we have the type of defense systems in space that can neutralize and/or support our surface weapons (like aircraft carriers battle groups)?
Look up Rods from God.
Designing and building a space based attack system is easily within todays technology.
However defending it once in orbit is nearly impossible.
Any satellite can be easily destroyed by a projectile the size of a BB traveling at several thousands of miles per hour which is easily achievable in space. I have thought that a 12 gage shotgun would be a good a weapon in space as a 16 inch naval gun. The physics in space are just that different in practice. There is no practical limit on the speed of a projectile so its size becomes irrelevant.
China has successfully tested a satellite attack satellite.
This means that a space based surface attack satellite would need to be land based and launched only moments be for the time it is intended to be used because its survival time once in orbit would be severely limited.
If we are working on stealth satellites I have not heard of the project, but then we wouldn't would we.
From a friend of my who worked at Los Alamos and Sandia Labs:
“Think of what science fiction stuff you hope we have. Add a hundred years and you are getting close.”