Posted on 01/23/2007 5:50:10 AM PST by XR7
Beijing, China (AHN) - China confirmed Tuesday that it had tested anti-satellite weapon.
However, it added that the nation does not have intentions of an arms race in space.
Beijing said it had officially told the governments of the U.S., and Japan about the missile test.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said China was interested only in "peaceful development of outer space."
The satellite intercept test is said to be the first of its kind in well over 20 years and there are concerns that it may give rise to a space arms race.
An article in the American Aviation Week and Space Technology was one of the first to report that the test had taken place.
In the report, it was said that the Chinese Feng Yun 1C polar orbit weather satellite was obliterated by an anti-satellite system launched from or near Xichang Space Center in China on January 11.
The test is believed to have taken place approximately 537 miles above the earth.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who confirmed the report last Thursday said at the time, "(the U.S.) believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of co-operation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area".
The U.S. space policy, revised in October, says Washington reserves the right to freedom of action in space, and the U.S. itself is said to be working on research on "satellite-killing" weapons, reports BBC.
I think the sat. had an bomb in it and they just exploded it to make it appear they could hit it.
It's past time to start thinking about China again. This satellite missle test sends a frightening message. What better way to confuse an enemy than to disable it's communications.
Especially useful after three misses.
The Chinese dont do anything for no reason.
They sent us a message. They know of course that we can shoot down sattelites also.
If we can go up and repair them we can of course remove them. This message tells us they can also shoot down the Space Shuttle and the Space station.
Their reasons for this message will become apparent one day.
If you want peace, prepare for war.....Julius Caesar.........
BS
We should be proud of our technology that the Clinton Administration gave to China. Our stuff works.
Unless the Chinese have a way of blanking out the HF band, that will never happen............
Bingo!! The quid pro quo Chinese campaign donations paid off.
Sad, but true. This is something that should be thrown into candidate Clinton's face at every available opportunity.
"The Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said China was interested only in "peaceful development of outer space"
This is one bizarre and convoluted statement. How can one develop space peacefully by developing weaponry to be used there and then testing said weaponry? Too much sauce on the Peking Duck if you axe me.....
This is a good example of what not to do. They took an action without considering the effect on others--especially the US. Many times people in a macho, bravo mood will take such an action to demonstrate their power. What they don't realize is that potential adversaries take note and steps to meet that act.
Sure. I well recall how in connection with the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, SECDEF Rumsfeld began talking about shifting naval assets to the Pacific, and "greater engagement" along the Pacific Rim.
Maybe not, but would think that it would make a big dent.
And the VLF band is practically immune..........but slow......
Wow! Uh, no.
WEB RESULTS by Ask (Showing Results 1 - 10 of 133,100) for "freerepublic" and "china" - all dates
WEB RESULTS by Ask (Showing Results 1 - 10 of 118,900) for "freerepublic" and "china" - after September 11, 2001
That unscientific survey jibes with my recollection.
With the likes of Paul Ross and those folks, they haven't stopped screaming about China and Walmart since FR's founding.
Any general who would rely solely on satellite communications being still operable in time of actual war should be shot. That would be the enemy's first target. Our hi-tech comm systems are vulnerable to disruption. I sincerely hope that the Pentagon has in place a fall back position to the old communications systems that are very reliable. The only other method I can think of would be bouncing a laser off the moon, if it's not cloudy............
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