The Militarization of Near Space?

Better engines and fuel - like fusion - are on the horizon, and could revolutionize space-planes - and manned space flight:

www.bbc.com...
(Nov. 2014) LOCKHEED-MARTIN'S "SKUNK WORKS" CREATES CONFUSION OVER FUSION

www.bbc.com...
(Aug. 2013) ITER'S FUSION PROJECT IN SOUTHERN FRANCE

www.esa.int...
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY: NUCLEAR FUSION PROPULSION PROJECTS

arc.aiaa.org...
(Oct. 2014) AEROSPACE RESEARCH CENTRAL: CASE AND DEVELOPMENT PATH FOR FUSION PROPULSION

Improved engines will also help. Here are some "engine improvements" that may never get into space-planes, but some of the ideas may be transferable:

www.gizmag.com...
(Aug. 2014) NASA SAYS PUZZLING NEW SPACE DRIVE CAN GENERATE THRUST WITHOUT PROPELLANTS

www.gizmag.com...
DUKE ENGINES' LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT AND VALVELESS AXIAL ENGINE

www.forbes.com...
THE BEST NEW CAR ENGINES FOR 2015

www.egr.msu.edu...
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH EXPERIMENT STATION

Did the "theoretical" weaponizing and fighting in Near Space above Earth, just suffer a provocative event?

www.mirror.co.uk...
AMERICAN MILITARY WEATHER SATELLITE UNEXPLAINABLY HEATS UP - THEN BLOWS UP

On February 27, 2015, a 20-year-old (but still active) military satellite in orbit exploded into 43 pieces. While satellites DO reach the end of their usefulness and stop functioning, they usually end up falling to Earth and burning up, or just add to the growing "dead" space-debris still in orbit.

Conspiracy theories abound, from the idea that it was shot down by Russia or China. But the other Superpowers are getting chummier, after China supported Russia's aggression in Ukraine:

www.independent.co.uk... l
TOP CHINESE DIPLOMAT BACKS PUTIN OVER UKRAINE

Would this new Superpower Bloc really want to expend time and money on harassing the U.S. with such a stunt? Or were one or both warning the U.S. that they blame the harsh winter on the U.S. military?

The other theory, is that our own military was testing a new laser weapon that can destroy still-functioning satellites. And the Air Force says they still have a half-dozen functioning weather satellites. So the explosion of that older one won't harm their weather collection data.

www.upi.com...
AIR FORCE CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE WEATHER SATELLITE THAT EXPLODED

a reply to: MKMoniker

Or they've done what countries have always done and proven that our satellites are vulnerable.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: MKMoniker

Or they've done what countries have always done and proven that our satellites are vulnerable.

Any civilian satellites on that side of the world when the initial breakup happened that have gamma ray detectors?

a reply to: Psynic

The systems exist but we haven't deployed any in the white,they are not theoretcal but we haven't put any up that I am aware of.

a reply to: Bedlam

Good question. I haven't looked that deeply into it. It crossed my mind, but I've been dealing with so much crap lately I haven't looked into it.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Bedlam

Good question. I haven't looked that deeply into it. It crossed my mind, but I've been dealing with so much crap lately I haven't looked into it.

There is a nagging suspicion that someone else might have the big surprise as well. Although it seems loony to show your hand that way.

a reply to: Bedlam

Yeah that it does. But a little scary someone else may have it too. Although that does bring things somewhat back into balance.

www.defense.gov...

PENTAGON'S BUDGET REQUEST PROVIDES FOR "ROBUST" NUCLEAR DETERRENT

While continuing to modernize as our nuclear arsenal shrinks, "emerging (foreign?) capabilities" must be addressed - including in Space and Cyberspace.

www.dailymail.co.uk...
LOCKHEED-MARTIN'S "ATHENA" LASER STOPS TRUCK OVER A MILE AWAY
It's the most powerful portable LASER weapon ever created, in hi-tech race to replace missiles.

Laser weapons in space are invisible, since you can't see the beam in a vacuum - just the point hit. Although the beam will have some divergence over time/distance, leading to less impact when it finally hits something.

www.reddit.com...
REDDIT FORUM: "IF A LASER IS SHOT IN SPACE AND DOESN'T HIT ITS TARGET, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LASER?"
Some good information early on, then the discussion wanders to frogs and photons...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Bedlam

Yeah that it does. But a little scary someone else may have it too. Although that does bring things somewhat back into balance.

Why would it have to be someone else? Why not a test and quiet demonstration to those that they want to let know?

Besides, if this thing was destroyed with technology none of us are supposed to know about, why even announce the destruction of the satellite? I mean, don't deny it was blown up, but just not report about it.

Seems obvious to me that "they" wanted whoever's watching/cares to know what happened.

a reply to: Bedlam

any speculation as the kEV the gamma rays are suspected to be at. hoping somewhere like real low. please don't say it 's what I think it might be kEV wise.

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Because amateur astronomers brought it up. They weren't going to say anything until amateurs brought it up after seeing a debris cloud.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: MystikMushroom

Because amateur astronomers brought it up. They weren't going to say anything until amateurs brought it up after seeing a debris cloud.

Was there an earth-shattering kaboom?

originally posted by: cavtrooper7
I believe WE ALREADY have orbiting systems that can strike the earth.

"Rods from GOD."

a reply to: buddah6

Nobody will EVER confirm that has been deployed ,only that we can.

Satellite destroyed...

Gamma rays...

Gama rays and satellite's remind me of the Vela satellite's...

Vela detected nuclear blasts...

Project Orion, was planned to use nuclear detonation for propulsion...

Still thinking...

a reply to: MystikMushroom

I'm thinking they are alluding to the someone other than the US having a space based anti satellite laser or something similar. Really hoping it's not something else though.

originally posted by: BASSPLYR
a reply to: MystikMushroom

I'm thinking they are alluding to the someone other than the US having a space based anti satellite laser or something similar. Really hoping it's not something else though.

Let me think outside the box!

Maybe they did find something on Ceres and someone else is heading out that direction!

It's probably not though.