Chinese to develop offensive military capabilities in space

Ever since the days of the Cold War, there has been… at least outwardly, some effort by the world’s space faring nations to keep that space from becoming a potential, overt battleground.

Of course, most of us understand that these same nations have operated covert weapons systems, to one degree or the next, all through this same span of time. But still and all, they did make at least that small effort and to the benefit of those nations that did avoid orbiting satellites of instant nuclear death just over our heads, there is some degree of dismay in learning that China now seems ready to disavow the singularly peaceful use of the heavens…

The U.S. military needs to deepen dialogue with China to better understand the intent of its space programs, a U.S. general said on Tuesday, after a Chinese commander announced plans to develop offensive military capabilities in space.

General Kevin Chilton, head of the Pentagon's Strategic Command which coordinates U.S. military operations in space, said China-watchers had been "absolutely amazed" by the country's advances in its space programs over the past decade.

Source: U.S. eyes "intent" of China's space programs

Perhaps the US has no room to act amazed or play the injured party but, we all could stand a little breathing room when it comes to what is constantly hovering over us in space.

China has the opportunity here to take the high ground, and set an example. But if history is any example, it will be the politicians and the generals who have the final say.

Canada has been pushing for a ban on all space based weapons platforms for some years now. So far, no one has signed onto it though, although if I remember, California was also behind it.

It needs to happen, no one wants to live in a world knowing, at any moment, death could rain down from the skies anywhere on the face of the planet.

I'd like to see a ban on all space based weapons but I don't think that is gonna happen. Even if countries sign up to it for the PR, they will continue their covert activities.

It will all come down to trust... or distrust. No country is going to believe that the others are playing fair so they will violate at will as well.

How I hate the 21st century... just like the one before it and the one before that one.



[edit on 4-11-2009 by redoubt]

China instead of developing space based weapons should concentrate of developing space craft instead.If china put billions of dollars into developing a more advanced space craft research and developing program they may become equal or better than nasa today.Space is the furture.He who controls space controls most of the mining rights as well.If the Chinese or Russia space programs shot ahead of the United States it would mean big bucks at a later date.