posted on Apr, 30 2006 @ 04:58 PM
The integrated system of surveillance, navigation, communication, and attack capabilities are being developed in order to "protect military and
commercial national interests and investment in space," and "to deny others the use of space, if required."
UM_Gazz is absolutely correct here.
Just another cycle of arms race in which Russians don't want to participate.
Passer By got it right on as well but from a philosophical point of view.
This is why controlling space is so appealing to military commanders.
Same MAD scenario here.
Back in the 70s Soviets put up a nuclear orbital bombardment system. It was negotiated out, but when Regan tried to pull that "Star Wars" nonsense,
Soviets simply replied with "mutual orbital denial" system.
Can't exactly remember what it was called, something like "Heavens Gates" or something.
Heavy orbital lifters or retrofitted ICMB lifters bring up 100 tonnes of fine aluminum dust at a time.
Upon deployment seeder capsules begin blanketing the orbit with aluminum dust traveling at +/- 8km/s.
When the cloud spreads out it simply wipes everything on it's path and initiates a chain reaction. Every object encountered is in turn ripped to
shreds and also becomes a part of the cloud.
Other then initiating an orbital snow ball effect, all that aluminum and debris from demolished satellites creates a jamming effect wreaking absolute
havoc on communications, GPS and EWR returns.
Such deployment will basically plunge the human race into dark ages for at least 40 years.
If our brass keeps pushing for another space race, it's the kind of future will have to risk living in.