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Should the U.S. Weaponize Outer Space?
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Anti-Satellite Space Weapons are not Technologically Feasible (1569)

Some of the proposed anti-satellite space weapons (ex. directed-energy weapons) are not technologically feasible with current technology. Researchers are working on concepts but these same researchers have been working for several decades to develop a viable missile defense system without success. Crude ASATs are possible but many of the advanced ASAT ideas being discussed are not feasible within the next 10-15 years.
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Anti-Satellite Space Weapons are Technologically Feasible (1329)

Anti-satellite space weapons are feasible with today's technology. There are multiple low-tech options (ex. direct-ascent, high altitude nuclear detonation, information warfare) within range of most spacefaring states and the more advanced methods (directed energy weapons, microsatellites) are probably within reach of the advanced nations within a few years. Recent anti-satellite weapon tests also confirm this. Russia conducted several anti-satellite weapon tests up until 1981 and the U.S. destroyed a satellite using a missile launched from an F-15 in 1985. Even more recently, China destroyed a weather satellite using a ground-to-earth, direct ascent anti-satellite weapon on January 11, 2007.
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News
U.S. Army Wants Nanomissiles to Launch Small Satellites -- Space News -- August 12, 2010
The U.S. Army's desire to deploy swarms of tiny satellites for various tactical missions is one of the reasons it began development two years ago of what would be the United States' smallest orbital launch vehicle, designed to put payloads of about 20 kilograms into space, government and industry officials said. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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China Launches New Spy Satellite -- Space.com -- August 11, 2010
China launched its sixth satellite this year, a spy satellite with a synthetic aperture radar system designed to observe locations all weather and lighting conditions. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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Solar Sails Could Allow New Orbits for Satellites -- Space.com -- August 11, 2010
New research shows how solar sails could be used on satellites to levitate them above the existing Geostationary orbit, creating a whole new swath of orbital real-estate and potentially relieving existing overcrowding and international tensions. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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India Working on Star-Wars-like Weapons -- Times of India -- August 3, 2010
The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization is working on a range of directed energy weapons, from laser dazzlers to control rioting crowds to high-powered lasers to destroy incoming missiles. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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A Real Mess in Orbit: Space Junk to Hang Around Longer Than Expected -- Leonard David -- Space.com -- August 3, 2010
New research on changes in the Earth's upper atmosphere suggests space debris could remain in orbit for longer than expected. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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Iran Seeks to Place Astronauts in Space by 2019 -- Global Security Newswire -- July 26, 2010
Iran plans to launch its first astronauts into space by 2019, according to Reuters. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced his country's intention to prepare a manned spaceflight last February, after its Kavoshgar 3 rocket carried several small animals into orbit. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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Experimental U.S. Missile Defense Satellites Pass Big Tests -- Space.com -- July 26, 2010
A pair of experimental U.S. missile defense satellites has passed a series of vital tests in space, spotting three missile launches and successfully relaying data about their trajectories to observers on Earth. [ Quotes (0) ] [ Comments (0) ]
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