Mr. Rossenttini's points out that Telkom-1 was 18 years old, 3 years beyond its designed lifespan before it broke up. It most likely wore out due to age, not to being shot down. Besides, there are over a thousand dead satellites in orbit that would make better targets for a weapons test.
Are there Freepers who know about the issue of using communication satellites until the wear out aganist maintaining reliable satellite commuications? Does anyone know how much if any redundancy is built into commercial communication satellite networks?
Related:
ExoAnalytic Video Shows Telkom-1 Satellite Erupting Debris
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3584580/posts
I don’t know, but I’ll imagine that there are dual redundancies where possible and feasible.
I don’t envision too many moving parts. Nozzles, Jet blasts, perhaps solenoid or two. 18 years ago is 1999. Pretty viable technology.
Things wear and tear and the vacuum is harsh.
Killer satellites were talked about during Reagan’s SDI push. Haven’t heard much about them in years.
I don’t claim or believe that this was hit by a killer satellite, but it does remind me that the next war is probably going to start with or include destroying satellites.
In other words, a worn out buggy whip compared to today's technology......