Russia - Reports that China missile hits satellite are rumors - Ivanov

Interfax.ru ^ | January 19, 2007

[PureSolace]

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. ;-)

[kinoxi]

Interesting.

[Thrownatbirth]

I think the Pentagon has an anti-anti-satellite design somewhere from the 70's.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

More reliable sources than interfax (not very hard) are acting as though this is more than merely a rumor.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

including the American National Security Council:

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.

[HAL9000]

If Interfax quoted Ivanov correctly, the question of reliability pertains to Ivanov.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

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.

[river rat]

If the Chinese were successful in this feat -- they can thank Bill Clinton and the former CEO of Loral (Bernard L. Schwartz - a massive Clinton donor) for GIVING the Chinese the former IBM/Federal Systems Division technology for missile guidance....
The IBM FSD was purchased by Loral -- who gained the technology in the purchase --- and quickly "lost or gave it" to the Chinese.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/loral053198.htm

http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/98-485.pdf

Semper Fi

[Joe Boucher]

Who ya gonna believe, Ivanov or your lying eyes?

[madconserv]

Sergei Ivanov is trying to cover-up the story. Why? Does anyone think that Russian arms and tech being sold to China might have something to do with this?

[MARKUSPRIME]

Russia we know you and china have an anti-US alliance. We dont trust you.

[A. Pole]

Rumor or not, we should still prepare for such a scenario.

And what would be involved in such preparation? Developing/inventing new techniques to destroy the satellites?

[Calpernia]

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.

[uptoolate]

We need to be able to protect OUR satellites from Chi com missiles.

Our Strategic Missile Defense program uses satellites.

[A. Pole]

We need to be able to protect OUR satellites from Chi com missiles.

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.

[eastforker]

You see, the satellites circle the Earth. ...... No, most satellites are stationary and do not circle the earth, unless it is a spy satellite that moves under its own propulsion.

[A. Pole]

No, most satellites are stationary and do not circle the earth

Even if they are over the equator (as stationary satellites need to be) how will you protect them so far from US territory?

[Rio]

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.

[anymouse]

Clinton also dumped our space-based missile defense program, that would have been operational by now, cost less than current ground-based missile defense and would have allowed us to have a thriving space industry with low cost space assess. Brilliant Pebbles, Clementine II and the DCX/Delta Clipper programs were line item vetoed by Clinton. And his DARPA chief, John Deutch, who particularly helped kill these valuable pioneering projects, later was caught mishandling classified data. We may never know how much damage to national security and space development that these Rats did, through neglect or outright treason.