Posted on 09/28/2006 9:46:54 AM PDT by mucho muchacho
Edited on 09/29/2006 12:19:05 PM PDT by Lead Moderator. [history]
China has secretly fired powerful laser weapons designed to disable American spy satellites by "blinding" their sensitive surveillance devices, it was reported yesterday.
The hitherto unreported attacks have been kept secret by the Bush administration for fear that it would damage attempts to co-opt China in diplomatic offensives against North Korea and Iran.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Isn't firing at a US satelite one of the things that started the military confrontation between America and the Soviets in the movie, "2010"?
I haven't heard of this movie.
In addition, China already may possess the capability to damage, under specific conditions, optical sensors on satellites that are very vulnerable to damage by lasers. Beijing also may have acquired high-energy laser equipment and technical assistance, which probably could be used in the development of ground-based ASAT weapons. Given China's current level of interest in laser technology, Beijing probably could develop a weapon that could destroy satellites in the future. Although specific Chinese programs for a laser ASAT system have not been identified, press articles indicate an interest in developing this capability.
China is believed to be conducting research and development on a direct-ascent ASAT system that could be fielded in the 2005-2010 timeframe. Scholarly articles published by Chinese scientists in technical journals have reported indigenous research on "space interceptors," which they say can be used to destroy targets in space. June 2002 Chinese magazine article suggested that China should “concentrate on intensifying research of the key technologies in anti-satellite weapons that attack ground and space bases (especially ground bases), and as quickly as possible develop one or two anti-satellite weapons that are useful as a deterrent against enemy space systems, in order to gain the initiative in future space wars.” A Hong Kong newspaper article in January 2001 reported that China had developed and tested an ASAT system described as a “parasitic microsatellite.” Although this claim cannot be confirmed, a number of countries, including China, are developing and proliferating microsatellite (10- to 100-kg mass) and nanosatellite (1- to 10-kg mass) technologies. 36
Eventually in all likelihood international treaties of some kind will need to be formed, kind of like what exist for the seas and shorelines now.
So, it's old news. What can we do and what have we done?
I forget, are we talking about immigration again? [/s]
It was the sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Good effects, lame leftist slant.
Okay cool, I looked it up online.
They should include Orson Scott Card.
Not sure you read your own source. Page 36/37 confirms that the Chinese were developing anti-satellite (ASAT) lasers in 2003.
Looks like a good source to me - and the Telegraph ( and mucho muchacho) got it right.
or perhaps I just don't get your brand of sarcasm?
My point was that it's not new. I get miffed when media trot out stuff like it's hot off the press and it isn't.
"Fricken sharks with fricken lasers on their heads"
US Reply: "You got me, pardner. Cain't see a thang! Shoot, now we'll never know what's a goin' on down there. Heck, you'll probly be able to try an' do all sorts of stuff, an' we'll never know it. Dang, you guys sure are smart!"
(The above monologue works best if you use the voice of Slim Pickens)
I have a theory that rehashing old news stories is a very good way to manipulate public opinion. And I think it's unsavory.
"What in the wide, wide, world of sports in going on here?!"
Because officials don't want to piss off or hurt big business. That or they are too stupid to see what is going on, or could it be that they are too afraid of China?
We'll be at war with China and/or Russia in this quarter-century unless we wake up fast and begin to do things to dissuade them.
The first order of business is to not depend on either of them for anything diplomatically or regarding military supplies, etc. They are our enemies, even if we're not in a shooting war. Proceed as if they're opposed to us, because they usually are anyway. That'll fix the problem of having to kiss their Red Commie arses for a stinking UN vote.
Second, we need to build up our military considerably. A nation MUST have reserves, and our nation especially needs them. We no longer live in a world where the oceans provide significant protection. As such, while having allies is nice, we have to plan on being attacked first (kind of like the Japanese did to us 65 years ago...hello!!). This means that we'll have no time to do a massive build-up like in WW2, which problem is exacerbated by the fact that we have some very high-tech equipment with long production lead times. We need to have large reserves of equipment, of spare parts, of critical parts needed for new production (most especially if those parts are sourced outside of the US or at only 1 factory in the US), of POL reserves and of ammunition and missiles from the level of the common infantryman up to the strategic level...and I don't mean reserves for a small war lasting 90 days against some theoretical Shitholestan where flush toilets are considered high tech. Nope, I mean a big war against the Russkies or Red Chinese where half of our troops, equipment and supplies are presumed to be destroyed immediately. Having such reserves will be expensive, but it will deter a war - and the first day or two of a serious war will be far more expensive than years of hoarding equipment and supplies.
Third, we need to show the rest of the world, most especially our enemies and potential enemies, that we have the WILL to use our forces. Having the greatest military machine in world history is meaningless if the C-in-C isn't willing to use it (remember that disloyal, naive oaf, Carter?), or so handcuffs our troops that we cut our effectiveness dramatically (like Somalia or now in Iraq). Start by changing the rules of engagement in Iraq -NOW- to a set where prevailing in battle and saving the lives of our soldiers is the first priority, and saving civilian lives and infrastructure is less important.
Regarding these lasers, my solution is to find some way to hit back at the Chinese. It shouldn't be that public - because the loss of face by the Chinese could cause them to go to war. Do something that let's them know that a) we know what they're doing and b) that we're not going to get poked in the eye without responding appropriately. EMP one of their satellites, blow up a refinery on the Chinese mainland, sink a ship, destroy an ammo dump, etc., each in such a way as to be relatively undetectable - but always do it a day, 2 days or a week after they blind a satellite. Be consistent in the timing, and it won't take them very long to connect the dots. Shortly thereafter, they'll stop.
If we don't do these things (especially those things showing our willingness to engage them using force), then we'll bring on a war just as surely as appeasement led to the invasion of Poland. The cost of failure will be measured in the tens of millions of lives, and the placing of our freedom at risk.
'xactly. Heh.
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