Posted on 03/15/2006 2:44:45 PM PST by Paul_Denton
Destruction of enemy satellites with high-powered ground-based lasers is among weapon systems the U.S. Defense Department reportedly wants to test in space.
The Pentagon is seeking funding for these tests which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, reports the Boston Globe citing federal budget documents. The department's budget proposal is for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
Other tests for creating a space battlefield would include a missile launched at a small satellite in orbit and a small space vehicle that could disperse weapons while traveling at 20 times the speed of sound, the report said.
The Globe report said the Pentagon feels its aerospace technology has advanced exponentially in the past two decades. The military says the investment is justified because the technology will also have civilian applications such as refueling or retrieving disabled satellites.
But arms-control specialists told the newspaper the tests could place weapons in space without a public debate on the consequences, even more so that President Reagan's Star Wars.
A government spokesman said there are no plans to base weapons in space. "We just want to do some experiments" on weapons technology in space, he was quoted as saying.
ping
I actually hope they've been working on it for 30 years and have already deployed quite a few good working weapons. If they're not 20-30 years ahead of what we think is possible, we could be in trouble.
Good point. I agree. Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems with kinetic warheads would also be a good non-nuclear way to destroy deep bunkers too.
As long as they don't touch any nukes, I'm OK with this. Nothing will attract Cylons faster than a nuclear detonation in orbit.
LOL! Actually having a nuclear deterrant in orbit would be an advantage. Especially if it were at an altitude that no other nation's rocket could reach.
1) In response to the ground based lasers shooting out into space: just make sure you hit what you want. Funny thing about space, it'll just keep going till it hits something and who knows what that might cause.
2) All of the Pentagon's best ideas in the next few decades will come from Gene Roddenberry and Geogre Lucas.
LOL not a bad idea. Several spaced based laser satellites arranged in a pattered and firing their beam at the same target would no doubt cause more destruction than a single beam from a single sattelite.
The ultimate weapon the "X-31 Space Modulator"
Well, Iran just launched a Russian built spy satellite that would make a perfect test target at very little cost.
Look at what was done 20 years ago:
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/asat.htm
I agree :)
Yep. There is the Pegasus too I think. The technology has been around for decades. I would not be surprised if what is mentioned in this article is already operational.
Has the Pentagon checked out Frank J. at IMAO? His "Nuke the Moon" might give them ideas.
LOL. I wouldn't mind attracting a few of the hot ones.
LOL same here.
Put a passel of space based weapons above the chi-coms , Saudi arabia, syria, iran, russia, venezuela and just wait.
I like that idea.
But let's not wait too long.
Ready aim ...........
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