Saturday, August 12, 2006

Anti Satellite Weapons

Continuing the discussion on the ongoing weaponization of space, and the consequently emerging space warfare arms race. Micro satellites directly matching other satellites trajectories, and taking advantage of high energy concentration in the form of lasers? For sure, but why bother damaging an entire reconnaissance satellite when you can basically spray its lenses to prevent it from using its core function:

"But the ability to operate autonomously near another satellite could also be used for offensive purposes, says Theresa Hitchens of the Center for Defense Information in Washington DC, US. If an ANGELS-like satellite were sent towards another country's satellite, it could be used as a weapon, she says. "It’s not far fetched to think that you could equip such little satellites with radio frequency jammers or technologies to block image capability," she told New Scientist. For example, a mini satellite could spray paint on the lens of a satellite's camera in order to blind it, she says. "There's a huge potential for this to be used as an anti-satellite weapon of some sort."

Quite a creative space provocation, isn't it?

Related resources and posts:
Anti Satellite Weapons
Anti Satellite Weapons @ FAS
Is a Space Warfare arms race really coming?
Weaponizing Space and the Emerging Space Warfare Arms Race

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