Posted on 01/19/2007 2:36:48 AM PST by HAL9000
MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Reports that a Chinese ballistic missile has hit a satellite are "highly exaggerated rumors," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said."I have heard reports to that effect, and they are quite abstract. I'm afraid they don't have such an anti-satellite basis. The rumors are highly exaggerated," Ivanov told reporters in Moscow.
Rumor or not, we should still prepare for such a scenario. I remember reading the Good Book. I remember reading about a war int he heavens... now if thats angels beating the hell outta each other, or rockets and sattelites... I'm sure we'll one day see.
Be Prepared.... remember the boy scouts. ;-)
Interesting.
I think the Pentagon has an anti-anti-satellite design somewhere from the 70's.
More reliable sources than interfax (not very hard) are acting as though this is more than merely a rumor.
Late on Thursday, US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe confirmed an article in the magazine American Aviation Week and Space Technology, which reported that the test had taken place.From the BBC.
If Interfax quoted Ivanov correctly, the question of reliability pertains to Ivanov.
I trust the Chicoms less than I trust the Islamofascists. At least the Islamofascists are a known quantity; they are stupid and we know what to expect from them. But in the long run the Chicoms will pose a greater threat.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/loral053198.htm
http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/98-485.pdf
Semper Fi
Who ya gonna believe, Ivanov or your lying eyes?
Russia we know you and china have an anti-US alliance. We dont trust you.
And what would be involved in such preparation? Developing/inventing new techniques to destroy the satellites?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1770113/posts
Britain has joined the US, Japan and Australia's condemnation of China after the communist country destroyed a satellite in space using a ballistic missile.
We need to be able to protect OUR satellites from Chi com missiles.
Our Strategic Missile Defense program uses satellites.
You see, the satellites circle the Earth. How can you protect a satellite which is hundred miles above Chinese territory and many thousands of miles from USA?
Space warfare is asymmetrical by definition. It is better not to stimulate development in this area.
Even if they are over the equator (as stationary satellites need to be) how will you protect them so far from US territory?
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070119/59365283.html
MOSCOW, January 19 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian defense minister denied Friday allegations that China launched a ballistic missile January 11 that destroyed a satellite.
CNN, a U.S.-based global television network, earlier said that a U.S. National Security Council spokesman confirmed a report in the magazine American Aviation Week and Space Technology that China last week destroyed one of its old meteorological satellites with a medium-range ballistic missile.
"I have heard such rather unsubstantiated reports, and I am afraid they are unfounded," Sergei Ivanov said. "There is nothing to comment on. The rumors are largely exaggerated."
However, Japan, Australia and the United States have already expressed concern over the alleged weapons test and the theoretical possibility that China could shoot down satellites operated by other countries.
China has yet to confirm the destruction of its satellite, but is likely to face stern criticism for an attempt to spread an arms race into space.
Ivanov, who is also deputy prime minister, said Russia has always opposed the militarization of space and will continue to do so.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.