China Weapons Test Shakes Up World View

Las Vegas Sun ^ | January 23, 2007 at 11:55:13 PST | CHRISTOPHER BODEEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

[353FMG]

Perhaps it will be Hillary - she is vociferous enough.

[sam_paine]

Wah wah waaaaaah. Jimminy. The Chinese run two "spam-in-a-can" flights a-la 1963, and they launch a co-orbital collision with one of their own satellites.

Meanwhile, the USA has the farthest and fastest man-made objects in the universe and is still launching metal into the sky.

Not to mention that the Chicoms have payloaded a lot of their useful equipment on commercial CAPITALIST launch services worldwide.

So I think it's fair to spam this thread (something I wouldn't normally do) to get some balance with where we are and where they are.

Look at the Japanese. Remember when they were supposed to clobber us in the 80s? Back when "GLOBAL COOLING" was all the rage.

Now the Japanese have made some major steps forward, and their engineering excellence is faaar superior to the Chicoms ----and---- yet the Japanese have seen far more upfront with American defense tools, help, etc, than B. Schwarz could have ever given the Chicoms. They've got all sorts of USAF and USN assets---cutting edge tech.

And the Chinese are no where near getting caught up to the Japanese, even, much less the USA.

---

DEEP SPACE PROBES AND OTHER MANMADE OBJECTS BEYOND EARTH ORBIT
(includes objects in distant Earth orbits)

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 14 November 2006

Objects in distant Earth orbits (includes objects with semimajor axes greater than half that of the Moon)

INT-ID/Name     country       name                 launch date      in orbit    inclin. orbit (km)            notes

1964-041B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B           7/28/64       7/28/64
1965-010B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B           2/17/65       2/17/65
1965-064A       USA        SURVEYOR MODEL 1            8/11/65       8/11/65
1966-006D       USSR       SL-6 R/B(2)                 1/31/66       1/31/66
1966-027E       USSR       SL-6 DEBRIS                 3/31/66       3/31/66
1966-027F       USSR       SL-6 DEBRIS                 3/31/66       3/31/66
1966-045B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B           5/30/66       5/30/66
1966-058A       USA        EXPLORER 33 (IMP-D)         7/ 1/66       7/ 1/66     24.1    265680 x 480763      data to 9/21/71
1966-058C       USA        DELTA 1 R/B(2)              7/ 1/66       7/ 1/66
1966-084B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B           9/20/66       9/20/66
1966-095B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B          10/26/66      10/26/66
1967-035B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B           4/17/67       4/17/67
1967-084B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B           9/ 8/67       9/ 8/67
1967-112B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B          11/ 7/67      11/ 7/67
1968-001B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B           1/ 7/68       1/ 7/68
1969-099        USA        SATURN V R/B (J002E3)      11/14/69       3/  /02     25      280000 x 840000
1973-078A       USA        EXPLORER 50 (IMP-8)        10/26/73      10/26/73     31.6    190749 x 244361     data to 10/28/01
1992-044A       Japan      GEOTAIL                     7/24/92       7/24/92     18.0    57448 x 399940      data past 6/11/02
1992-044C       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)              7/24/92       7/24/92     28.7    184 x 360210
1994-071C       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)             11/ 1/94      11/ 1/94     28.8    187 x 470309
1998-041C       Japan      M-5 R/B(2)                  7/ 3/98       7/ 3/98     23.9    1917 x 592196
2006-047A       USA        STEREO-A                   10/26/06      10/26/06     28.5    182 x 403810
2006-048B       USA        STEREO-B                   10/26/06      10/26/06     28.5    182 x 403810
2006-048        USA        STAR 48B R/B               10/26/06      10/26/06     28.5    182 x 403810
2006-048        USA        STAR 48B R/B DESPIN WT 1   10/26/06      10/26/06     28.5    182 x 403810
2006-048        USA        STAR 48B R/B DESPIN WT 2   10/26/06      10/26/06     28.5    182 x 403810


Objects orbiting the Moon

INT-ID/Name     country       name                 launch date      in orbit     inclin. orbit (km)           notes

1966-027A       USSR       LUNA 10                     3/31/66       4/ 3/66     72.03   378 x 985            data to 5/30/66
1966-078A       USSR       LUNA 11                     8/24/66       8/27/66     27      163.5 x 1193.6       data to 10/1/66
1966-094A       USSR       LUNA 12                    10/22/66      10/25/66     10      133 x 1200           data to 1/19/67
1967-070A       USA        EXPLORER 35 (AIMP-E)        7/19/67       7/21/67    147      800 x 7692
1967-070A       USA        EXPLORER 35 RETROMOTOR      7/19/67       7/21/67    147      800 x 7692
1968-027A       USSR       LUNA 14                     4/ 7/68       4/10/68     42      160 x 870            data to 4/68
1971-063D       USA        APOLLO 15 (IRW PL)          7/26/71       8/ 4/71     28.5    102 x 139            data to 2/3/72
1971-073B       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)                9/ 2/71
1971-082A       USSR       LUNA 19                     9/28/71      10/ 3/71     40.6    77 x 385             data to 10/72
1971-082C       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)                9/28/71
1972-007B       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)                2/14/72
1973-039A       USA        EXPLORER 49 (RAE-2)         6/10/73       6/15/73     38.7    1053 x 1063          data to 8/77
1973-039F       USA        EXPLORER 49 DEBRIS          6/10/73       6/15/73     38.7    1053 x 1063
1973-039G       USA        EXPLORER 49 DEBRIS          6/10/73       6/15/73
1974-037A       USSR       LUNA 22                     5/29/74       6/ 2/74     21      100 x 1286           data to 11/75
1990-007B       Japan      HAGOROMO                    1/24/90       3/19/90     39      2300 x 49000         data to 3/19/90


Objects orbiting the Sun

INT-ID/Name     country       name                launch date       in orbit     inclin. orbit (AU)           notes

1959-012A       USSR       LUNA 1                      1/ 2/59       1/ 2/59      0.01    0.9876 x 1.318      data to 1/5/59
1959-012        USSR       BLOK-E R/B                  1/ 2/59       1/ 2/59      0.01    0.98 x 1.32
1959-013A       USA        PIONEER 4                   3/ 3/59       3/ 3/59      0.13    0.9871 x 1.142
1959-013        USA        BABY SERGEANT R/B           3/ 3/59       3/ 3/59      1.3     0.99 x 1.44
1960-001A       USA        PIONEER 5                   3/11/60       3/11/60      3.35    0.8061 x 0.9951     data to 6/26/60
1960-001        USA        ALTAIR I R/B                3/11/60       3/11/60      3.3     0.81 x 0.99
1961-003A       USSR       VENERA 1                    2/12/61       2/12/61      0.58    0.718 x 1.019       data to 2/27/61
1961-003        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  2/12/61       2/12/61      0.6     0.72 x 1.00
1962-001A       USA        RANGER 3                    1/26/62       1/26/62      0.4     0.9839 x 1.163
1962-001B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B 6003      1/26/62       1/26/62      0.4     0.99 x 1.16
1962-012B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B 6004      4/23/62       4/23/62
1962-041A       USA        MARINER 2 (VENUS)           8/27/62       8/27/62      1.4     0.705 x 1.227       data to 1/3/63
1962-041B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B 6902      8/27/62       8/27/62
1962-055A       USA        RANGER 5                   10/18/62      10/18/62      0.43    0.965 x 1.084       data to 10/20/62?
1962-055B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B 6005     10/18/62      10/18/62
1962-061C       USSR       MARS 1                     11/ 1/62      11/ 1/62      2.68    0.924 x 1.604       data to 3/21/63
1962-061        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                 11/ 1/62      11/ 1/62
1963-008B       USSR       LUNA 4                      4/ 2/63       4/ 2/63
1964-016D       USSR       ZOND 1                      4/ 2/64       4/ 2/64      3.7     0.652 x 1.001       data to 5/64
1964-016        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  4/ 2/64       4/ 2/64
1964-073A       USA        MARINER 3 (MARS)           11/ 5/64      11/ 5/64      0.52    0.983 x 1.311       data to 11/6/64
1964-073        USA        ATLAS AGENA D R/B 6931     11/ 5/64      11/ 5/64      0.52    0.983 x 1.311
1964-077A       USA        MARINER 4 (MARS)           11/28/64      11/28/64      2.5     1.107 x 1.561       data to 12/21/67
1964-077B       USA        ATLAS AGENA D R/B 6932     11/28/64      11/28/64      0.15    0.990 x 1.429
1964-078C       USSR       ZOND 2                     11/30/64      11/30/64      6.4     0.98 x 1.52         data to 4/65
1964-078        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                 11/30/64      11/30/64
1965-023B       USA        ATLAS AGENA B R/B 6007      3/21/65       3/21/65
1965-044A       USSR       LUNA 6                      6/ 8/65       6/ 8/65
1965-044        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  6/ 8/65       6/ 8/65
1965-056A       USSR       ZOND 3                      7/18/65       7/18/65      0.25    0.90 x 1.56         data to 3/66
1965-056        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  7/18/65       7/18/65
1965-091A       USSR       VENERA 2                   11/12/65      11/12/65      4.29    0.716 x 1.197       data to 2/66
1965-091        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                 11/12/65      11/12/65
1965-092D       USSR       SL-6 R/B(2)                11/16/65      11/16/65
1965-105A       USA        PIONEER 6                  12/16/65      12/16/65      0.17    0.814 x 0.985       data to 12/8/00
1965-105        USA        ALTAIR II R/B              12/16/65      12/16/65
1966-027D       USSR       SL-6 R/B(2)                 3/31/66       3/31/66
1966-075A       USA        PIONEER 7                   8/17/66       8/17/66      0.10    1.012 x 1.125       data to 3/95
1966-075C       USA        DELTA 1 R/B(2)              8/17/66       8/17/66
1967-058        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  6/12/67       6/12/67
1967-060A       USA        MARINER 5 (VENUS)           6/14/67       6/14/67      1.37    0.579 x 0.735       data to 10/14/68
1967-060B       USA        ATLAS AGENA D R/B 6933      6/14/67       6/14/67
1967-070C       USA        FW-4D R/B                   7/19/67       7/19/67      0.5     0.99 x 1.02
1967-123A       USA        PIONEER 8                  12/13/67      12/13/67      0.1     0.990 x 1.087       data to 8/22/96
1967-123        USA        FW-4D R/B                  12/13/67      12/13/67
1968-013A       USSR       ZOND 4                      3/ 2/68       3/ 2/68
1968-100A       USA        PIONEER 9                  11/ 8/68      11/ 8/68      0.09    0.756 x 0.990       data to 5/18/83
1968-100        USA        FW-4D R/B                  11/ 8/68      11/ 8/68
1968-118B       USA        SATURN V R/B 503N          12/21/68      12/21/68      0.5     0.923 x 0.988
1969-001        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  1/ 5/69       1/ 5/69
1969-002        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  1/10/69       1/10/69
1969-014A       USA        MARINER 6 (MARS)            2/25/69       2/25/69      1.8     1.142 x 1.754       data to 7/31/69?
1969-014B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-20     2/25/69       2/25/69      2.1     0.970 x 1.593
1969-018B       USA        SATURN V R/B 504N           3/ 3/69       3/ 3/69      0.5     0.546 x 0.991
1969-030A       USA        MARINER 7 (MARS)            3/27/69       3/27/69      1.8     1.118 x 1.670       data to 8/5/69?
1969-030B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-19     3/27/69       3/27/69      1.7     0.991 x 1.637
1969-043B       USA        SATURN V R/B 505N           5/18/69       5/18/69      0.5     0.908 x 1.017
1969-043D       USA        APOLLO 10 LM (APS)          5/18/69       5/23/69                                  data to 5/24/69
1969-059B       USA        SATURN V R/B 506            7/16/69       7/16/69      0.5     0.891 x 1.016
1970-029A       USA        APOLLO 13 CM BAY 4 PANEL    4/11/70       4/13/70
1970-029A       USA        APOLLO 13 CM DEBRIS         4/11/70       4/13/70
1970-060        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  8/17/70       8/17/70      2       0.7 x 1.0
1971-045        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  5/19/71       5/19/71      2       1.0 x 1.5
1971-049        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  5/28/71       5/28/71      2       1.0 x 1.5
1971-051B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-23     5/30/71       5/30/71      2       0.99 x 1.57
1972-012B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B(2)        3/ 3/72       3/ 3/72      1.3     0.99 x 5.86
1972-021        USSR       BLOK-L R/B                  3/27/72       3/27/72      2       0.7 x 1.0
1973-019B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B(2)        4/ 6/73       4/ 6/73      1.3     1.00 x 6.01
1973-047A       USSR       MARS 4                      7/21/73       7/21/73      2.2     1.02 x 1.63         data past 2/74
1973-047        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  7/21/73       7/21/73      2.2     1.0 x 1.6
1973-049        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  7/25/73       7/25/73      2.2     1.0 x 1.6
1973-052A       USSR       MARS 6                      8/ 5/73       8/ 5/73      2.2     1.01 x 1.67
1973-052        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  8/ 5/73       8/ 5/73      2.2     1.0 x 1.6
1973-053A       USSR       MARS 7                      8/ 9/73       8/ 9/73      2.2     1.01 x 1.69
1973-053        USSR       BLOK-D R/B                  8/ 9/73       8/ 9/73      2.2     1.0 x 1.6
1973-053D       USSR       MARS 7 DESCENT CRAFT        8/ 9/73       3/ 9/74      2.2     1.01 x 1.69
1973-085A       USA        MARINER 10 (MVM-73)        11/ 3/73      11/ 3/73              0.47 x 0.76         data to 3/24/75
1973-085B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-34    11/ 3/73      11/ 3/73      2.6     0.70 x 1.11
1974-097A       FRG        HELIOS 1                   12/10/74      12/10/74      0.0     0.309 x 0.985
1974-097C       FRG        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B TC-2     12/10/74      12/10/74      0.02    0.981 x 1.590
1974-097D       FRG        HELIOS 1 DEBRIS            12/10/74      12/10/74      0.0     0.307 x 0.985
1975-050        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 6/ 8/74       6/ 8/74      2       0.7 x 1.0
1975-054        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 6/14/74       6/14/74      2       0.7 x 1.0
1975-075B       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B TC-4   8/20/75       8/20/75      4       1.0 x 1.6
1975-083B       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B TC-3   9/ 9/75       9/ 9/75      3       1.0 x 1.6
1976-003A       FRG        HELIOS 2                    1/15/76       1/15/76      0.0     0.280 x 0.995
1976-003B       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B TC-5   1/15/76       1/15/76      1.5     0.888 x 1.086
1976-003C       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B(2)     1/15/76       1/15/76      0.0     0.280 x 0.995
1977-076B       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B TC-7   8/20/77       8/20/77
1977-076C       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B(2)     8/20/77       8/20/77      4.8     1.00 x 6.26
1977-084B       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B TC-6   9/ 5/77       9/ 5/77
1977-084C       USA        TITAN 3E CENTAUR R/B(2)     9/ 5/77       9/ 5/77      1.0     1.00 x 8.9
1978-051B       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-50     5/20/78       5/20/78      2       0.7 x 1.3
1978-078C       USA        ATLAS CENTAUR R/B AC-51     8/ 8/78       8/ 8/78      2       0.7 x 1.1
1978-079A       USA        ICE (ISEE 3)                8/12/78       8/12/78      0.1     0.926 x 1.033       data to 5/97
1978-079D       USA        STAR 37E R/B                8/12/78       8/12/78              0.99 x 1.00
1978-084A       USSR       VENERA 11 BUS               9/ 9/78       9/ 9/78      2       0.712 x 1.078       data to 2/80
1978-084        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 9/ 9/78       9/ 9/78      2       0.7 x 1.1
1978-086A       USSR       VENERA 12 BUS               9/14/78       9/14/78              0.725 x 1.192       data to 4/80
1978-086        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 9/14/78       9/14/78      2       0.7 x 1.0
1981-106A       USSR       VENERA 13 BUS              10/30/81      10/30/81      5       0.715 x 1.123       data to 11/82
1981-106        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                10/30/81      10/30/81      2       0.7 x 1.0
1981-110A       USSR       VENERA 14 BUS              11/ 4/81      11/ 4/81      2.3     0.71 x 0.99         data to 11/82
1981-110        USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                11/ 4/81      11/ 4/81      2       0.7 x 1.0
1983-53         USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 6/ 2/83       6/ 2/83      2       0.7 x 1.0
1983-54         USSR       BLOK-DM R/B                 6/ 7/83       6/ 7/83      2       0.7 x 1.0
1984-125A       USSR       VEGA 1 BUS                 12/15/84      12/15/84
1984-125D       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)               12/15/84      12/15/84      2       0.7 x 1.0
1984-128A       USSR       VEGA 2 BUS                 12/21/84      12/21/84
1984-128B       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)               12/21/84      12/21/84      2       0.7 x 1.0
1985-001A       Japan      SAKIGAKE                    1/ 7/85       1/ 7/85      0.07    0.916 x 1.154       data to 1/7/99
1985-001B       Japan      M-3S2 R/B(1)                1/ 7/85       1/ 7/85      1.44    0.817 x 1.014
1985-056A       ESA        GIOTTO                      7/ 2/85       1/ 7/85     23.91    0.994 x 1.165       data to 7/23/92
1985-073A       Japan      SUISEI (PLANET-A)           8/18/85       1/ 7/85      0.89    0.6718 x 1.0122     data to 2/22/91
1985-073C       Japan      M-3S2 R/B(2)                8/18/85       1/ 7/85      0.89    0.679 x 1.013
1988-058A       USSR       PHOBOS 1                    7/ 7/88       7/ 7/88      2.97    0.90 x 1.77         data to 9/2/88
1988-058B       USSR       SL-12 R/B                   7/ 7/88       7/ 7/88
1988-059B       USSR       SL-12 R/B(2)                7/12/88       7/12/88
1989-033D       USA        IUS-18 SRM-2 R/B            5/ 4/89       5/ 4/89      0.65    0.70 x 1.01
1989-084D       USA        IUS-19 SRM-2 R/B           10/18/89      10/18/89      4.3     0.668 x 1.000
1990-090B       USA        ULYSSES                    10/ 6/90      10/ 6/90     79.1     1.34 x 5.41         data past 5/27/06
1990-090D       USA        IUS-17 SRM-2 R/B           10/ 6/90      10/ 6/90      2.0     0.994 x 15.99
1990-090E       USA        PAM-S R/B                  10/ 6/90      10/ 6/90      2.0     0.994 x 15.99
1992-063A       USA        MARS OBSERVER               9/25/92       9/25/92      6.7     1.131 x 1.609       data to 8/22/93
1992-063C       USA        TOS R/B                     9/25/92       9/25/92
1994-004A       USA        CLEMENTINE 1 (DSPSE)        1/25/94       5/ 3/94
1994-071A       USA        WIND                       11/ 1/94                    0.047   0.992 x 1.028       data past 1/28/05
1995-065A       ESA        SOHO                       12/ 2/95      12/ 2/95      0       0.99 x 1.0          data past 5/27/06
1995-065B       USA        ATLAS 2AS CENTAUR R/B      12/ 2/95      12/ 2/95
1996-008C       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)              2/17/96
1996-062C       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)             11/ 7/96
1996-068C       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)             12/ 4/96
1997-061B       USA        TITAN 4B CENTAUR R/B       10/15/97
1998-041A       Japan      NOZOMI (PLANET-B)           7/ 3/98       7/ 3/98      3       0.976 x 1.444
1998-061A       USA        DEEP SPACE 1               10/24/98      10/24/98      0.22    1.30 x 1.44         data to 12/18/01
1998-061D       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)             10/24/98      10/24/98
1998-073C       USA        DELTA R/B(2)               12/11/98      12/11/98
1998-073        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)          12/11/98      12/11/98
1998-073        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)          12/11/98      12/11/98
1999-001B       USA        DELTA 2 R/B(2)              1/ 3/99       1/ 3/99
1999-001        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)           1/ 3/99       1/ 3/99
1999-001        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)           1/ 3/99       1/ 3/99
1999-003A       USA        STARDUST BUS                2/ 7/99       2/ 7/99      1.9     0.92 x 1.70         data past 1/15/06
1999-003C       USA        DELTA R/B(2)                2/ 7/99       2/ 7/99
1999-003        USA        R/B DESPIN WT               2/ 7/99       2/ 7/99
2001-014        USA        DELTA R/B(3) 7925           4/ 7/01       4/ 7/01
2001-014        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)           4/ 7/01       4/ 7/01
2001-014        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)           4/ 7/01       4/ 7/01
2001-027A       USA        MAP                         6/30/01      10/ 1/01      0       1.0 x 1.01          data past 5/27/06
2001-034A       USA        GENESIS BUS                 8/ 8/01       8/ 8/01      0.28    0.896 x 0.990       data past 9/04
2001-034        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)           8/ 8/01       8/ 8/01      0       0.99 x 1.0
2001-034        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)           8/ 8/01       8/ 8/01      0       0.99 x 1.0
2002-034A       USA        CONTOUR (A)                 7/ 3/02       8/15/02      8.7     0.876 x 1.131       data to 8/15/02
2002-034B       USA        CONTOUR (B)                 7/ 3/02       8/15/02      8.7     0.876 x 1.131        
2002-034C       USA        CONTOUR (C)                 7/ 3/02       8/15/02      8.7     0.876 x 1.131        
2003-019A       Japan      HAYABUSA                    5/ 9/03       5/  /03      7.5     0.953 x 1.696       data past 12/7/05
2003-019        Japan      MINERVA                     5/ 9/03       5/  /03                                  
2003-019        Japan      HAYABUSA MARKER (1)         5/ 9/03       5/  /03
2003-019B       Japan      KM-V2                       5/ 9/03       5/  /03              1.0 x 1.2        
2003-019        Japan      M-34                        5/ 9/03       5/  /03              1.0 x 1.2        
2003-022        USA        FREGAT                      6/ 2/03       6/  /03      0.2     1.014 x 1.531        
2003-027        USA        STAR 48                     6/10/03       6/  /03      0.26    1.042 x 1.550        
2003-027        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)           6/10/03       6/  /03      0.26    1.042 x 1.550
2003-027        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)           6/10/03       6/  /03      0.26    1.042 x 1.550
2003-032        USA        R/B                         7/ 8/03       7/  /03      1.04    1.01 x 1.53
2003-032        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (1)           7/ 8/03       7/  /03      1.04    1.01 x 1.53
2003-032        USA        R/B DESPIN WT (2)           7/ 8/03       7/  /03      1.04    1.01 x 1.53
2003-038A       USA        SIRTF                       8/25/03       8/25/03      1.14    0.996 x 1.019       data past 5/27/06
2003-038        USA        SIRTF DUST COVER            8/25/03       8/25/03      1.14    0.996 x 1.019
2003-038        USA        DELTA 300 R/B               8/25/03       8/25/03      8.2     0.86 x 1.01
2004-006A       ESA        ROSETTA                     3/ 2/04       3/ 2/04      0.4     0.885 x 1.094       data past 5/27/06
2004-006        ESA        EPS R/B                     3/ 2/04       3/ 2/04      0.4     0.885 x 1.094
2004-030A       USA        MESSENGER                   8/ 3/04       8/ 3/04      8.1     0.55 x 0.90         data past 5/27/06
2004-030A       USA        PAM-D R/B                   8/ 3/04       8/ 3/04      6.4     0.92 x 1.08
2005-001A       USA        DEEP IMPACT FS              1/12/05       1/12/05      0.6     0.91 x 1.628        data past 7/4/05
2005-001A       USA        PAM-D R/B                   1/12/05       1/12/05      0.6     0.91 x 1.628
2005-001A       USA        PAM-D R/B DESPIN WT (1)     1/12/05       1/12/05      0.6     0.91 x 1.628
2005-001A       USA        PAM-D R/B DESPIN WT (2)     1/12/05       1/12/05      0.6     0.91 x 1.628
2005-029        USA        CENTAUR R/B                 8/12/05       8/12/05      3.1     1.013 x 1.680
2005-045        ESA        FREGAT R/B                 11/ 9/05      11/ 9/05      0.26    0.702 x 0.993
2006-001        USA        CENTAUR R/B                 1/19/06       1/19/06      0.87    1 x 3


Objects orbiting Venus

INT-ID/Name    country       name                 launch date       in orbit     inclin. orbit (km)           notes

1975-050A       USSR       VENERA 9 BUS                6/ 8/75      10/22/75     34.2     1510 x 111700       data to 3/22/76
1975-054A       USSR       VENERA 10 BUS               6/14/75      10/25/75     29.5     1620 x 113900       data to 3/76
1983-053A       USSR       VENERA 15                   6/ 2/83      10/10/83     87       1000 x 65000
1983-054A       USSR       VENERA 16                   6/ 7/83      10/14/83     87       1600 x 65200
1989-033D       USA        IUS R/B(2)                  5/ 4/89       8/10/90     85.5     294 x 8472
2005-045A       ESA        VENUS EXPRESS              11/ 9/05       4/11/06     90       257 x 70463         data past 5/27/06


Objects orbiting Mars

INT-ID/Name   country       name                  launch date       in orbit     inclin. orbit (km)           notes

1971-045A       USSR       MARS 2                      5/19/71      11/27/71     48.9     1380 x 24940        data to 3/72?
1971-049A       USSR       MARS 3                      5/28/71      12/ 2/71     60       1530 x 214500       data to 3/72?
1971-051A       USA        MARINER 9 (MARS)            5/30/71      11/14/71     64.34    1394 x 17144        data to 10/27/72
1973-049A       USSR       MARS 5                      7/25/73       2/12/74     35.33    1760 x 32560
1975-075A       USA        VIKING 1 ORBITER            8/20/75       6/19/76     38       411 x 56275         data to 8/7/80
1975-075        USA        VIKING 1 BIOSHIELD BASE     8/20/75       7/20/76     38       1500 x 32800
1975-083A       USA        VIKING 2 ORBITER            9/ 9/75       8/ 7/76     80.3     302 x 33176         data to 7/25/78
1975-083        USA        VIKING 2 BIOSHIELD BASE     9/ 9/75       9/ 3/76     80       302 x 33240
1988-059A       USSR       PHOBOS 2                    7/12/88       3/25/89      1.3     6145 x 6409         data to 3/27/89
1988-059A       USSR       PHOBOS 2 RETROMOTOR         7/12/88       3/25/89      1.3     6145 x 6409
1996-062A       USA        MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR       11/ 7/96       9/11/97     92.91    334 x 421           data past 5/27/06
2001-014A       USA        MARS ODYSSEY                4/ 7/01      10/23/01     93       99 x 2951           data past 5/27/06
2003-022A       ESA        MARS EXPRESS                6/ 2/03      12/25/03     86.59    260 x 11607         data past 5/27/06
2005-029A       USA        MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORB     8/12/05       3/10/06     93.3     106 x 44500         data past 5/27/06


Objects orbiting Saturn

INT-ID/Name   country       name                  launch date       in orbit     inclin. orbit (km)           notes

1997-061A       USA        CASSINI                    10/15/97       7/ 1/04      8.2     231000 x 3533000    data past 5/27/06


Objects escaping the solar system

INT-ID/Name   country           name              launch date       inclin.      location                              notes

1972-012A       USA        PIONEER 10                  3/ 3/72        3.0        91.875 AU from Sun; V = 12.147 km/s   data to 2/25/03
1973-019A       USA        PIONEER 11                  4/ 6/73       14.5        72.535 AU from Sun; V = 11.547 km/s   data to 2001
1977-076A       USA        VOYAGER 2                   8/20/77      -31.1        81.138 AU from Sun; V = 15.566 km/s   data past 5/27/06
1977-084A       USA        VOYAGER 1                   9/ 5/77       34.8       100.899 AU from Sun; V = 17.131 km/s   data past 5/27/06
2006-001A       USA        NEW HORIZONS                1/19/06        0.87        4.199 AU from Sun; V > 21.145 km/s   data past 5/27/06
2006-001A       USA        STAR 48B R/B                1/19/06        0.87        4.2 AU from Sun;  V > 21 km/s
2006-001A       USA        STAR 48B DESPIN WT (1)      1/19/06        0.87        4.2 AU from Sun;  V > 21 km/s
2006-001A       USA        STAR 48B DESPIN WT (2)      1/19/06        0.87        4.2 AU from Sun;  V > 21 km/s


Objects on the Moon

INT-ID/Name   country           name                 launch date       type       date          location           notes

1959-014A       USSR       LUNA 2                           9/12/59    impact      9/13/59    29.1  N   0.0  E
1959-014A       USSR       LUNA 2 R/B                       9/12/59    impact      9/13/59    30    N   1    W
1962-012A       USA        RANGER 4                         4/23/62    impact      4/26/62    15.5  S 130.5  W
1964-007A       USA        RANGER 6                         1/30/64    impact      2/ 2/64     9.39 N  21.51 E
1964-041A       USA        RANGER 7                         7/28/64    impact      7/31/64    10.7  S  20.7  W
1965-010A       USA        RANGER 8                         2/17/65    impact      2/20/65     2.59 N  24.77 E
1965-023A       USA        RANGER 9                         4/10/65    impact      3/24/65    13.3  S   3.0  W
1965-036A       USSR       LUNA 5                           5/ 9/65    crashed     5/12/65    31    S   8    W
1965-077A       USSR       LUNA 7                          10/ 4/65    crashed    10/ 8/65     9    N  49    W
1965-099A       USSR       LUNA 8                          12/ 3/65    crashed    12/ 7/65     9  8'N  63 18'W
1966-006A       USSR       LUNA 9                           1/31/66    landing     2/ 3/66     7  8'N  64 22'W
1966-045A       USA        SURVEYOR 1                       5/30/66    landing     6/ 2/66     2.45 S  43.22 W      data to 1/7/67
1966-073A       USA        LUNAR ORBITER 1                  8/10/66    impact     10/29/66     6.7  N 162    E
1966-073B       USA        ATLAS AGENA D R/B                8/10/66    impact
1966-084A       USA        SURVEYOR 2                       9/20/66    crashed     9/22/66     5.5  N  12    W
1966-100A       USA        LUNAR ORBITER 2                 10/ 6/66    impact     10/11/67     4    S  98    E
1966-116A       USSR       LUNA 13                         12/21/66    landing    12/24/66    18 52'N  62 0.3W      data to 12/30/66
1967-008A       USA        LUNAR ORBITER 3                  2/ 5/67    impact     10/ 9/67    14.6  N  91.7  W
1967-035A       USA        SURVEYOR 3                       4/17/67    landing     4/20/67     2.97 N  23.34 W      data to 5/4/67
1967-041A       USA        LUNAR ORBITER 4                  5/ 4/67    crashed    10/ 6/67                          data to 7/17/67
1967-068A       USA        SURVEYOR 4                       7/14/67    crashed     7/17/67     0.4  N   1.33 W
1967-075A       USA        LUNAR ORBITER 5                  8/ 1/67    impact      1/31/68     2.79 S  83    W
1967-075B       USA        ATLAS AGENA D R/B                8/ 1/67    impact
1967-084A       USA        SURVEYOR 5                       9/ 8/67    landing     9/11/67     1.5  N  23.19 E      data to 12/17/67
1967-112A       USA        SURVEYOR 6                      11/ 7/67    landing    11/10/67     0.53 N   1.4  W      data to 12/14/67
1968-001A       USA        SURVEYOR 7                       1/ 7/68    landing     1/10/68    40.86 S  11.47 W      data to 2/21/68
1969-043C       USA        APOLLO 10 LM (DPS) (SNOOPY)      5/18/69    crashed     5/23/69
1969-058A       USSR       LUNA 15                          7/13/69    crashed     7/21/69    17    N  60    E
1969-059C       USA        APOLLO 11 LM (DPS) (EAGLE)       7/16/69    landing     7/20/69     0.674N  23.473E
1969-059C       USA        APOLLO 11 LRRR                   7/16/69    landing     7/20/69     0.673N  23.473E
1969-059C       USA        APOLLO 11 LM (APS) (EAGLE)       7/16/69    crashed
1969-099C       USA        APOLLO 12 LM (DPS) (INTREPID)   11/14/69    landing    11/19/69     3.014S  23.419W
1969-099C       USA        APOLLO 12 ALSEP                 11/14/69    landing    11/19/69     3.011S  23.425W      data to 9/30/77
1969-099C       USA        APOLLO 12 LM (APS) (INTREPID)   11/14/69    impact     11/20/69     3.94 S  21.21 W
1970-029B       USA        SATURN V R/B(3) APOLLO 13        4/11/70    impact      4/15/70     2.75 S  27.86 W
1970-072A       USSR       LUNA 16                          9/12/70    landing     9/20/70     0.68 S  56.30 E      data to 9/21/70
1970-095A       USSR       LUNA 17                         11/10/70    landing    11/15/70    38.213N  35.197W
1970-095A       USSR       LUNOKHOD 1                      11/10/70    landing    11/15/70    38.287N  35.190W      data to 10/4/71
1971-008C       USA        APOLLO 14 LM (DPS) (ANTARES)     1/31/71    landing     2/ 5/71     3.645S  17.471W
1971-008C       USA        APOLLO 14 ALSEP                  1/31/71    landing     2/ 5/71     3.644S  17.478W      data to 9/30/77
1971-008C       USA        APOLLO 14 LRRR                   1/31/71    landing     2/ 5/71     3.644S  17.479W
1971-008C       USA        APOLLO 14 LM (APS) (ANTARES)     1/31/71    impact      2/ 7/71     3.42 S  19.67 W
1971-008B       USA        SATURN V R/B(3) APOLLO 14        1/31/71    impact      2/ 4/71     8.09 S  26.02 W
1971-063C       USA        APOLLO 15 LM (DPS) (FALCON)      7/26/71    landing     7/30/71    26.132N   3.634E
1971-063C       USA        APOLLO 15 ALSEP                  7/26/71    landing     7/30/71    26.134N   3.630E      data to 9/30/77
1971-063C       USA        APOLLO 14 LRRR                   7/26/71    landing     7/30/71    26.133N   3.628E
1971-063C       USA        APOLLO 15 LM (APS) (FALCON)      7/26/71    impact      8/ 3/71    26.36 N   0.25 E
1971-063B       USA        SATURN V R/B(3) APOLLO 15        7/26/71    impact      7/29/71     1.51 S  11.81 W
1971-073A       USSR       LUNA 18                          9/ 2/71    crashed     9/11/71     3.57 N  56.50 E
1972-007A       USSR       LUNA 20                          2/14/72    landing     2/21/72     3.53 N  56.55 E      data to 2/22/72
1972-007E       USSR       LUNA 20 DEBRIS                   2/14/72    crashed     2/21/72
1972-031C       USA        APOLLO 16 LM (DPS) (ORION)       4/16/72    landing     4/21/72     8.973S  15.499E
1972-031C       USA        APOLLO 16 ALSEP                  4/16/72    landing     4/21/72     8.976S  15.496E      data to 9/30/77
1972-031C       USA        APOLLO 16 LM (APS) (ORION)       4/16/72    crashed     3/  /72
1972-031D       USA        APOLLO 16 (IRW PL)               4/16/72    crashed     5/29/72    10.16 N 111.9  E
1972-031B       USA        SATURN V R/B(3) APOLLO 16        4/16/72    impact      4/19/72     1.3  N  23.8  W
1972-096C       USA        APOLLO 17 LM (DPS) (CHALLENGER) 12/ 7/72    landing    12/11/72    20.188N  30.775E
1972-096C       USA        APOLLO 17 ALSEP                 12/ 7/72    landing    12/11/72    20.189N  30.768E      data to 9/30/77
1972-096C       USA        APOLLO 17 LM (APS) (CHALLENGER) 12/ 7/72    impact     12/15/72    19.96 N  30.50 E
1972-096B       USA        SATURN V R/B(3) APOLLO 17       12/ 7/72    impact     12/10/72     4.21 S  12.31 W
1973-001A       USSR       LUNA 21                          1/ 8/73    landing     1/16/73    25.85 N  30.45 E
1973-001A       USSR       LUNOKHOD 2                       1/ 8/73    landing     1/16/73    25.832N  30.922E      data to 6/3/73
1974-084A       USSR       LUNA 23                         10/28/74    landing    11/ 9/74    13.5  N  56.5  E      data to 11/12/74
1976-081A       USSR       LUNA 24                          8/ 9/76    landing     8/18/76    12.75 N  62.2  E      data to 8/19/76
1990-007A       Japan      HITEN (MUSES A)                  1/24/90    crashed     4/12/93    34.3  S  55.3  E
1998-001A       USA        LUNAR PROSPECTOR                 1/ 7/98    impact      7/31/99    87.7  S  42.35 E
2004-043C       ESA        SMART-1                          9/27/03    impact      9/03/06    34.4  S  46.2  W      data to 9/3/06


Objects on Venus

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date       location notes

1965-092A       USSR       VENERA 3                        11/16/65    crashed     3/ 1/66     0   N 160           data to 2/66
1967-058A       USSR       VENERA 4                         6/12/67    crashed    10/18/67    19   N  38           data to 27 km
1967-058        USSR       VENERA 4 R/B                     6/12/67    impact     10/18/67    19   N  38
1969-001A       USSR       VENERA 5                         1/ 5/69    crashed     3/16/69     3   S  18           data to 25 km
1969-001        USSR       VENERA 5 R/B                     1/ 5/69    impact      3/16/69     3   S  18
1969-002A       USSR       VENERA 6                         1/10/69    crashed     5/17/69     5   S  23           data to 11 km
1969-002        USSR       VENERA 6 R/B                     1/10/69    impact      5/17/69     5   S  23
1970-060A       USSR       VENERA 7                         8/17/70    landing    12/15/70     5   S 351           data for 23 min
1970-060        USSR       VENERA 7 R/B                     8/17/70    impact     12/15/70     5   S 351
1972-021A       USSR       VENERA 8                         3/27/72    landing     7/22/72    10   S 335           data for 50 min
1972-021        USSR       VENERA 8 R/B                     3/27/72    impact      7/22/72    10   S 335
1975-050D       USSR       VENERA 9 DESCENT CRAFT           6/ 8/75    landing    10/22/75    31 42N 290 50        data for 53 min
1975-054D       USSR       VENERA 10 DESCENT CRAFT          6/14/75    landing    10/25/75    16 02N 291           data for 65 min
1978-051A       USA        PIONEER VENUS 1 ORBITER          5/20/78    burned up  10/ 9/92
1978-078A       USA        PIONEER VENUS 2 PROBE BUS        8/ 8/78    burned up  12/ 9/78    37.9 N 290.9         data to 120 km
1978-078G       USA        PIONEER VENUS 2 LARGE PROBE      8/ 8/78    impact     12/ 9/78     4.4 N 304.0         data to surface
1978-078D       USA        PIONEER VENUS 2 SMALL PROBE 1    8/ 8/78    impact     12/ 9/78    59.3 N   4.8         data to surface
1978-078E       USA        PIONEER VENUS 2 SMALL PROBE 2    8/ 8/78    crashed    12/ 9/78    31.3 N 317.0         data to surface
1978-078F       USA        PIONEER VENUS 2 SMALL PROBE 3    8/ 8/78    landing    12/ 9/78    28.7 S  56.7         data for 68 min
1978-084D       USSR       VENERA 11 DESCENT CRAFT          9/ 9/78    landing    12/23/78    14   S 299           data for 95 min
1978-086C       USSR       VENERA 12 DESCENT CRAFT          9/14/78    landing    12/21/78     7   S 294           data for 110 min
1981-106D       USSR       VENERA 13 DESCENT CRAFT         10/30/81    landing     3/ 1/82     7 30S 303           data for 127 min
1981-110D       USSR       VENERA 14 DESCENT CRAFT         11/ 4/81    landing     3/ 3/82    13 15S 310 09W       data for 57 min
1984-125E       USSR       VEGA 1 DESCENT CRAFT            12/15/84    landing     6/11/85     7.2 N 177.8         data for 56 min
1984-125F       USSR       VEGA 1 BALLOON                  12/15/84    landing     6/12/85                         data for 46.5 hr
1984-128E       USSR       VEGA 2 DESCENT CRAFT            12/21/84    landing     6/15/85     6.45S 181.08W       data for 57 min
1984-128F       USSR       VEGA 2 BALLOON                  12/21/84    landing     6/16/85                         data for 46.5 hr
1989-033B       USA        MAGELLAN                         5/ 4/89    burned up  10/13/97


Objects on Mars

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

1971-045D       USSR       MARS 2 CAPSULE                   5/19/71    crashed    11/27/71    45    S 302    W
1971-049E       USSR       MARS 3 DESCENT CRAFT             5/28/71    landing    12/ 2/71    45    S 158    W     data for 90 sec
1973-052D       USSR       MARS 6 DESCENT CRAFT             8/ 5/73    crashed     3/12/74    24    S  25    W
1975-075C       USA        VIKING LANDER 1                  8/20/75    landing     7/20/76    22.483N  47.94 W     data to 11/13/82
1975-083C       USA        VIKING LANDER 2                  9/ 9/75    landing     9/ 3/76    47.968N 225.71 W     data to 4/12/80
1996-068A       USA        MARS PATHFINDER                 12/ 4/96    landing     7/ 4/97    19.33 N  33.55 W     data to 10/7/97
1996-068A       USA        MARS SOJOURNER                  12/ 4/96    landing     7/ 4/97    19.33 N  33.55 W     data to 8/20/97
1998-073A       USA        MARS CLIMATE ORBITER            12/11/98    burned up   9/23/99
1999-001A       USA        MARS POLAR LANDER                1/ 3/99    crashed    12/ 3/99    76.1  S 195.3  W     data to 12/3/99
1999-001A       USA        DEEP SPACE 2 MICROPROBE 1        1/ 3/99    crashed    12/ 3/99    75.0  S 196.5  W     data to 12/3/99
1999-001A       USA        DEEP SPACE 2 MICROPROBE 2        1/ 3/99    crashed    12/ 3/99    75.0  S 196.5  W     data to 12/3/99
2003-022A       ESA        BEAGLE-2                         6/ 2/03    crashed    12/25/03    11    N 270    W?
2003-027A       USA        MER-A COLUMBIA STATION           6/10/03    landing     1/ 3/04    14.569S 184.527W
2003-027A       USA        MER-A SPIRIT ROVER               6/10/03    landing     1/ 3/04    14.587S 184.478W     data past 5/27/06
2003-027A       USA        MER-A HEATSHIELD                 6/10/03    impact      1/ 3/04    14.562S 184.522W
2003-027A       USA        MER-A BACKSHELL                  6/10/03    impact      1/ 3/04    14.561S 184.534W
2003-032A       USA        MER-B CHALLENGER STATION         7/ 8/03    landing     1/24/04     1.946S   5.527W
2003-032A       USA        MER-B OPPORTUNITY ROVER          7/ 8/03    landing     1/24/04     1.954S   5.515W     data past 5/27/06
2003-032A       USA        MER-B HEATSHIELD                 7/ 8/03    impact      1/24/04     1.953S   5.515W
2003-032A       USA        MER-B BACKSHELL                  7/ 8/03    impact      1/24/04     1.951S   5.533W


Objects on 433 Eros

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

1996-008A       USA        NEAR SHOEMAKER                   2/17/96   landing      2/12/01    35    S 279    W     data to 2/28/01


Objects on 25143 Itokawa

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

2003-019        Japan      HAYABUSA MARKER (1)              5/ 9/03   landing    11/19/05                          


Objects on 9P/Tempel 1

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

2005-001A       USA        DEEP IMPACT IS                   1/12/05    impact     7/ 4/05                          data to 7/4/05


Objects on Jupiter

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

1989-084B       USA        GALILEO ORBITER                10/18/89    burned up    9/21/03                         data to 9300 km
1989-084B       USA        GALILEO PROBE                  10/18/89    burned up   12/ 7/95                         data to -160 km


Objects on Titan

INT-ID/Name   country       name                       launch date     type       date        location             notes

1997-061A       ESA        HUYGENS                        10/15/97    landing      1/14/05    11   S 192   W       data for 190 min

Primary sources:

• Baker, David, The History of Manned Space Flight, 1982.
• McDowell, Jonathan, "Deep Space Logs," 1990, on line, Jonathan's Space Home Page [http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/space/logs/deep/index.html].
• McDowell, Jonathan, "Jonathan's Space Report," 2000-2005, on line, Jonathan's Space Home Page [http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/jsr.html].
• Roncoli, Ralph B., "Lunar Constants and Models Document," 23 Sept. 2005, on line, JPL.
• USAF, "United States Space Command, Satellite Situation Report, Vol. 41, No. 1, December 16, 2000," 16 Dec. 2000, on line, NASA-GIS.
• Wilson, Andrew, Solar System Log, 1987, Jane's.

---

© 2000-2005, 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 14 November 2006.

[RightWhale]

William Jennings Bryan hasn't been saying much lately.

[353FMG]

I must admit that you did your homework. Your master thesis has been accepted with a more-than-passing grade.

[sam_paine]

LOL! Sorry for the spamalot! But seriously, we lose so damn much perspective in America.

Maybe that's what makes us so great. If a Chinese child with water wings hops off the diving board into the kiddie pool, we Americans expect ourselves to launch an array of synchronized swimmers with fireworks and marching bands---or else we're a failure and traitors to our founding fathers!

[r9etb]

We'll have to equip our satellites with anti-missile technology.

Not necessarily. There are a lot of ways to deal with ASAT activity, ranging from "overpopulating" with satellites, maneuvering targeted satellites, stealth, or creating a rapid replacement capability.

The more difficult part is actually defining a realistic threat environment. It's difficult to come up with countermeasures of you don't have that.

[r9etb]

I don't trust the Red Chinese as far as I can throw them, but this development could be taken as a defensive posture.

I don't know that you can separate offensive from defensive thinking here.

It's obvious by inspection that our military is heavily dependent on our space assets -- they're an obvious target regardless of your military posture.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I feel all warm and fuzzy after seeing THAT list!

[the_Watchman]

But we can't really complain that a country intends to defend itself. If you were the Prime Minister of India wouldn't you want to be able to control the space above your head?

We can protest publicly when Iran openly develops nuclear weapons, but it's gonna sound real hollow to complain about this development.

BTW: Please do not construe my comments as a defense of the Red Chinese. I think we goofed big time when we declared the cold war over just because the Soviet Union collapsed. We should have stood by our guns and kept the pressure on the Chicoms.

[r9etb]

We can protest publicly when Iran openly develops nuclear weapons, but it's gonna sound real hollow to complain about this development.

Not quite. ASAT capability is very similar to nuclear weapons, in the sense that they can be either first-use or retaliatory. First use is clearly an act of war....

"Defensive use" is predicated on the theory that we or an ally have already, or are clearly about to attack them, or are a threat to attack them.

Since that's not likely, it seems more likely that this is meant to provide an offensive capability to be used as part of an initial strike. As a side benefit, it increases our space costs, probably significantly, because we now have to deal with the threat somehow.

BTW: Please do not construe my comments as a defense of the Red Chinese.

Didn't even cross my mind to do so....

[Chena]

Excellent compilation and post, sam_paine!! BTTT!

[Flying Circus]

Don't they have to make "superpower" before they can make "#1 Superpower?" As far as I can tell they are a regional power at best and cannot project power much outside SE Asia. Meanwhile the US projects overwhelming superiority on the far side of the planet in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Paul Ross]

"We need a communicator that has some bite in 2008."
Anyone out there? Raise your hand.

[Madam Theophilus]

I've wondered if China's action has anything to do with the buildup of our navy in the Persian Gulf. That is, whether China's message might be: don't mess with our ally (Iran) or we will cripple your technology.

[Paul Ross]

China may never be a "western" democracy, but nor will she ever be the totalitarian threat she was 25 or 30 years ago. That geni simply won't go back in the bottle.

Ahem....I believe you should note that Defense Minister Chi Haotian begs to differ with you:

After the June 4 riot was suppressed, we have been thinking about how to prevent China from peaceful evolution and how to maintain the Communist Party’s leadership. We thought it over and over but did not come up with any good ideas. If we do not have good ideas, China will inevitably change peacefully, and we will all become criminals in history. After some deep pondering, we finally come to this conclusion: Only by turning our developed national strength into the force of a fist striking outward—only by leading people to go out —can we win forever the Chinese people’s support and love for the Communist Party. Our Party will then stand on invincible ground, and the Chinese people will have to depend on the Communist Party. They will forever follow the Communist Party with their hearts and minds, as was written in a couplet frequently seen in the countryside some years ago: “Listen to Chairman Mao, Follow the Communist Party!” Therefore, the June 4 riot made us realize that we must combine economic development with preparation for war and leading the people to go out!

Therefore, since then, our national defense policy has taken a 180 degree turn and we have since emphasized more and more “combining peace and war.” Our economic development is all about preparing for the need of war! Publicly we still emphasize economic development as our center, but in reality, economic development has war as its center! We have made a tremendous effort to construct “The Great Wall Project” to build up, along our coastal and land frontiers as well as around large and medium-sized cities, a solid underground “Great Wall” that can withstand a nuclear war. We are also storing all necessary war materials. Therefore, we will not hesitate to fight a Third World War, so as to lead the people to go out and to ensure the Party’s leadership position. In any event, we, the CCP, will never step down from the stage of history! We’d rather have the whole world, or even the entire globe, share life and death with us than step down from the stage of history!

[wku man]

The only people who are surprised about this are those who haven't been paying attention. Doesn't anyone remember when they rammed our P-3 Orion and took the crew and plane hostage? Doesn't anyone remember how they stole and bribed their way into our most secret missile, satellite and nuclear technology? Doesn't anyone remember how, just a few weeks ago, they tracked one of our subs to within torpedo range?

The Chicoms are making and selling to us the rope we will hang by. Get yours at a Great Wal-Mart of China near you.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[zook]

For their Tienamen, we have our Waco. And you cite a member of China's old guard military, without considering the vastness of the change within China's civilian government.

Tienamen was a tragedy and there remain many old guard Communists. But unless you've been to China in the past 10 years, you can't even imagine the transformation that is taking place there.

My hope is that China will continue to develop economically and politicall. Their rising tide will lift all boats.

[Paul Ross]

But unless you've been to China in the past 10 years, you can't even imagine the transformation that is taking place there.

Chi Haotian rose to the top rank of Defense Minister well after Tianamen Square's massacre....in 1995.

And he was in power until 2003, a full eight years, standard for that office.

His successor is not noticeably of different outlook. If you're looking for incremental change...you're looking in vain.

[Marysecretary]

Thank you ex-president Clinton. I hope the first bomb they drop hits you on the head.

[Centurion2000]

China has sent men into orbit and launched dozens of satellites, but its test of a satellite-killing weapon is shaking up perceptions about where the Chinese space program is headed.

As soon as China reaches parity with the US in terms of space capability they will renounce the 1967 UN Outer Space treaty faster than you can blink.