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Space Weapons Inherently Vulnerable because of Limited Manueverability

 

Because achieving a particular orbit requires such enormous effort, significantly changing established orbits is not generally practical. As a result, it is hard to concentrate the efforts of a constellation of satellites in space and time. As defenses, space weapons are static in the same way that terrestrial fortifications are. Space-based defenses are inherently subject to saturation by a terrestrial opponent that is able to concentrate an attack against them in space and time. This limitation may be an advantage if a limited defense against a limited threat is needed that is observably incapable of destabilizing a deterrence relationship with another, larger threat. ( More ... )

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Preston, Bob, Calvin Shipbaugh et al. Space Weapons, Earth Wars. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, . [ 2 quotes ] [ page 104 ]

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Orbits of Space Assets are Easy to Observe and Predict

 

Although the distances involved and the opportunity for activity to take place out of the view of a particular part of the world may make surveillance and observation of satellites difficult, it is hard to prevent someone willing to spend the necessary resources from observing satellites. Because orbits are subject to only minor unpredictable disturbances, satellite positions are predictable. ( More ... )

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Preston, Bob, Calvin Shipbaugh et al. Space Weapons, Earth Wars. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, . [ 2 quotes ] [ page 104 ]

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