Latest news on the debate over the weaponization of outer space from Spacedebate.org. http://www.spacedebate.org/news.xml contact@spacedebate.org (Greg Schnippel) The author examines the validity of the claims that an electo-magnetic pulse bomb presents an immediate threat to U.S. infrastructure, arguing that "advocates for EMP preparation could end up being their own worst enemy.'" (Foreign Policy -- February 17, 2010) Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/02/17/the_boogeyman_bomb http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/02/17/the_boogeyman_bomb Iran has revealed the development of a new Simorgh space booster and three new satellites that include an imaging spacecraft that may provide Iran with a rudimentary space reconnaissance capability. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also indicated that Iran may be studying the use of its new space capabilities for a rudimentary antisatellite weapons capability, by noting that the new booster will enable Iran to fly missions up to 621 mi. (1,000 km.) altitude. (SatNews.com -- February 16, 2010) Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:30:00 -0800 http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1510847029 http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1510847029 A high-powered laser aboard a modified Boeing Co 747 jumbo jet shot down an in-flight ballistic missile for the first time, highlighting a new class of ray guns best known from science fiction. (Reuters -- February 12, 2010) Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:15:00 -0800 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100212/ts_nm/us_usa_arms_laser http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100212/ts_nm/us_usa_arms_laser In the short to medium term India's scarce resources would be better served by focusing on reducing the disparity with China in space. Developing ASAT capability is something that can wait, write Bharath Gopalaswamy and Harsh V Pant. (Rediff -- February 9, 2010) Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:15:00 -0800 http://news.rediff.com/column/2010/feb/09/does-india-need-anti-satellite-capability.htm http://news.rediff.com/column/2010/feb/09/does-india-need-anti-satellite-capability.htm In what seemed intended as a display of technological advance, Iran said on Wednesday that it had fired a rocket into space carrying living organisms — a rat, two turtles and worms, according to the state-run Press TV. (New York Times -- February 4, 2010) Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:45:00 -0800 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html The Obama administration is accelerating the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks in the Persian Gulf, placing special ships off the Iranian coast and antimissile systems in at least four Arab countries, according to administration and military officials. (New York Times -- January 31, 2010) Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:30:00 -0800 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/world/middleeast/31missile.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/world/middleeast/31missile.html The United States faces an evolving list of potential adversaries in the 21st century that not only continue to seek weapons of mass destruction, but are honing the skills necessary to wage battle in cyberspace as well as outer space, a panel of national security experts said Jan. 20. (Space News -- January 30, 2010) Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:15:00 -0800 http://www.spacenews.com/military/100129-space-cyberspace-likely-battlegrounds-21st-century.html http://www.spacenews.com/military/100129-space-cyberspace-likely-battlegrounds-21st-century.html In an effort to beef up intelligence gathering in the face of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power, will send a new spy satellite into space in the coming month. (Jerusalem Post -- January 29, 2010) Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=167203 http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=167203 International experts converged on Mexico City this month to discuss the best way to establish a global detection and warning network to monitor potential asteroid threats to all life on Earth. (Space.com -- January 29, 2010) Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:15:00 -0800 http://www.space.com/news/asteroid-threat-warning-system-100129.html http://www.space.com/news/asteroid-threat-warning-system-100129.html The goals for India's anti-ballistic missile (ABM) and ballistic missile defense (BMD) programs may be shifting to accommodate an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon more quickly than previously planned, and this could radically alter the agenda of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is currently in the middle of a three-day visit to India. (Asia Times -- January 22, 2010) Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:45:00 -0800 http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LA22Df01.html http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LA22Df01.html