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So China has the technology to destroy satellites [1], and is developing alternatives to US satellites. Does this make anyone else nervous? Maybe Trump has a
by csense 8y ago
So China has the technology to destroy satellites [1], and is developing alternatives to US satellites.
Does this make anyone else nervous?
Maybe Trump has a point when he says we should stop letting China steal our technology.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Chinese_anti-satellite_missile_test https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Chinese_anti-satellite_mi...
- weregiraffe 8y ago>So China has the technology to destroy satellites [ Any country that can launch a satellite has a technology to destroy one. It's called a missile. You don't even need to go to orbit - just intersect the orbit of the target and dump a bucket of nails in its path.
- age008 8y agoAren't GPS satellites geostationary?
- detaro 8y agono, they are not.
- JumpCrisscross 8y ago> Any country that can launch a satellite has a technology to destroy one It's easier to put something in orbit than to knock something out of orbit.
- slededit 8y agoYou can destroy something without taking it out of orbit. The pieces will happily carry on along their orbital trajectories.
- JumpCrisscross 8y agoIt's easier to put something in orbit than to hit something in orbit.
- slededit 8y agoWell I'll disagree with my own unsubstantiated claim. Consider that its easier to manufacture flak shells than make airplanes. The same applies to space.
- Dylan16807 8y agoNot meaningfully. If you can get into a similar orbit, it's easy in comparison to intercept.
- marssaxman 8y agoYou don't even need much of a missile, if you happen to have an air force; back in 1985 the USAF did a test in which the pilot of an F-15 shot down a satellite, from an altitude of 38,000 feet.
- sbradford26 8y agoAny country/company who has launch vehicles can destroy satellites. SpaceX could just as easily destroy satellites.
- wegotscrewed 8y agoDon't give Musk any ideas