The world has not seen an ASAT test like the Chinese conducted in over 20 years; the United States last tested an ASAT system in 1985. It was believed that the Soviets had also developed and tested different ASAT variants, including co-orbital and direct-ascent ASAT systems. However, at the height of the Cold War, a delicate strategic balance was upheld. Both countries understood that a strike against a space asset would be destabilizing, leaving either side vulnerable to a debilitating first strike that could escalate to nuclear war. During this time the use of space was predominantly for strategic purposes, providing global missile warning, intelligence, and secure communications for the command and control of nuclear forces. This was before we had an operational GPS constellation, widespread satellite communications, extensive civil and commercial use, and near-real-time battlefield intelligence supporting tactical and theaterlevel military operations.

Today, the repercussions of an attack that existed in the Cold War seem to have diminished. In fact, ASAT incidents and tests are occurring, and we have seen few consequences for the culprits. In the past few years, we have seen a handful of GPS and increasing numbers of satellite communications (SATCOM) jamming incidents. In the early stages of OIF, US forces encountered a GPS jamming situation. In this case, precision munitions were used to hit these jamming sources, which allowed our forces to quickly resume operations. We have seen several SATCOM jamming incidents, including Iranian jamming of a US satellite from Cuba in July 2003; ongoing jamming by Iran against Panamsat, AsiaSat, ArabSat, and EutelSat from June 1997 to July 2005; and Libyan jamming of two international SATCOM systems in December 2005. Last fall it was reported that a Chinese ground-based laser illuminated a National Reconnaissance Office intelligence-gathering satellite.9 What is most troubling is that these attacks are coming during a period of widespread use of GPS, satellite communications, and space-based imagery.

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Everett, Terry. "Arguing for a Comprehensive Space Protection Strategy." Strategic Studies Quarterly. Vol. 1, No. 1 (Fall 2007): 20-35. [ 6 quotes ] [ page 23 ]