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Friday, February 15, 2008

America To Shoot Down Spy Satellite

But don’t worry, we’re just disposing of it.  Not sending a message to, oh I don’t know, China.

The military hopes to smash the satellite as soon as next week — just before it enters Earth’s atmosphere — with a single missile fired from a Navy cruiser in the northern Pacific Ocean.

The dramatic maneuver may well trigger international concerns, and U.S. officials have begun notifying other countries of the plan — stressing that it does not signal the start of a new American anti-satellite weapons program.

Somehow, no matter what officials say, I don’t think the rest of the world is going to take it that way.

But who cares?  So we’re demonstrating our ability to shoot down satellites orbiting the planet.  That’s a good thing, as far as I’m concerned.  I know American assertiveness is anathema in the modern world of international diplomacy, but there’s nothing wrong with it none-the-less.  It’s worth remembering that most (though by no means all) of the threats America faces in the world are kept at bay by the threat of our fearsome military capabilities and all the technological marvels that go along with it.

Comments

I know American assertiveness is anathema in the modern world of international diplomacy…

Actually, it’s only anathema to the America-hating lefties.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on February 15, 2008 at 12:30 am

Why would this start a new arms race? We have had operational anti-satellite systems since the late ‘80s, both air-launched and ship-launched. Not to mention the capability to strike objects in orbit from fixed and mobile land-based systems. Seems a bit-O-scaremongering among the “journalist” classes.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on February 15, 2008 at 04:48 am

If those on the Left are upset by this US move to safely dispose of a dying satellite, perhaps they could have Bill Clinton ask his friends the Chinese to do it instead.

Thanks to the reciprocal generosity of the Chinese PLA and Clinton/Gore ‘96, via Loral and Hughes, the Chinese now have a similar capability.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on February 15, 2008 at 05:49 am

The Pentagon set this one up nicely:

Instead of just coming out and saying they would be testing an anti-satellite system - like China did - they told us all about the failing spy satellite and its payload of toxic fuel.

Have to shoot it down, you see.

And, like Rob said, this sends a clear message to China. Which is the whole point regardless of any PR dance the Pentagon is doing.


The future ain’t what it used to be.....

Pilgrim on February 15, 2008 at 07:01 am
Avatar for Michael K

What if we miss? This could be an expensive embarrassment.

Michael K on February 15, 2008 at 11:58 am

Kind of hard to miss, since they are in direct communication with it, the failure being in propulsion/guidance. It is still singing a solid tone and very visible.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on February 15, 2008 at 06:44 pm

Damn we’d BETTER NOT miss it.  Jeez, this is the kind of thing you announce after the fact if you succeed, and deny deny deny if you fail.  Obviously there’s something else going on here…


[Feet make good soup!]

Marty on February 15, 2008 at 09:54 pm

PS:

This
[iframe src="http://content.pulse360.com/cgi-bin/context...]
Causes every IE user to have to click [Back] twice, to return to the main page.  In case anyone cares…


[Feet make good soup!]

Marty on February 15, 2008 at 09:57 pm

So switch to FireFox.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on February 16, 2008 at 06:32 am

Firefix is for girls.


[Feet make good soup!]

Marty on February 16, 2008 at 07:11 am

Firefox does have a big penalty - it occasionally will eat up RAM.

It’s been that way since version 1.5

It’s still better than IE.

likwidshoe on February 16, 2008 at 07:25 am

The dramatic maneuver may well trigger international concerns, and U.S. officials have begun notifying other countries of the plan — stressing that it does not signal the start of a new American anti-satellite weapons program.

True. It is a continuation of the one we have.

The one that the liberals derisively refer to as “Star Wars” from “Ronnie Raygun”. This is our national defense. With us announcing our intentions, we better damn well hit this thing.

likwidshoe on February 16, 2008 at 07:30 am

Firefix is for girls.

Marty,

You take that back...or I’ll hit you with my purse!


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on February 16, 2008 at 07:57 am
Avatar for Everlasting

I heard today that the satellite was successfully destroyed by a missile.
That reminds me so much of a science fiction book that was published last year called Moon over Key Biscayne.  - A light novel that gets into satellites and objects on a collision course with Earth.

Everlasting on February 21, 2008 at 02:21 pm

That is a quick spambot hit.

As for the shoot. They had clear tune and solid telemetry from the bird, just could not make it respond to commands for orbital corrections. Not much chance of missing.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on February 21, 2008 at 05:24 pm
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