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Just wait until an armed conflict. China/Russia/US/India will take about 20 minutes to blast every satellite in the sky. Then space will be inaccessible for de
by mips_avatar 8y ago
Just wait until an armed conflict. China/Russia/US/India will take about 20 minutes to blast every satellite in the sky. Then space will be inaccessible for decades at least.
- kuzehanka 8y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome And that's how we close off our only window to expand beyond this planet as a species.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- gruez 8y agoFrom your link: >The catastrophic scenarios predict an increase in the number of collisions per year, as opposed to a physically impassable barrier to space exploration that occurs in higher orbits.
- kuzehanka 8y agoThat's a really good point, thanks for highlighting it.
- gpm 8y agoSpace will be accessible, just not parking in low earth orbit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Implications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Implications
- herohamp 8y agoOh just wait till the spaceX internet satellites are setup, and the amazon internet satellites. Low earth orbit is about to be full, debris up there is going to be super dangerous
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- ethbro 8y agoNot necessarily. To a large extent, LEO aggression can be modeled even more dissuasively (collapsing into MAD) via game theory. If I blow up your satellites, and I don't know where the pieces are liable to go, then I imperil my own satellites in a similar orbit. Ergo, if I have space assets and ASAT capability, the strictly dominating strategy is to publicly declare I will only deploy my ASAT weapons in defense or if strategic red lines are breached (e.g. territorial invasion). Consequently, it's in the US's best interests for other countries with ASAT capabilities to increase their satellite capabilities.
- mips_avatar 8y agoYeah but if a country with ASAT was going to be bombed, do you think they would give the enemy the benefit of GPS or communications satellites?
- ethbro 8y ago"Bombed" is rather nebulous. Are you referring to a strategic bombing campaign or a tactical strike? If the latter, then yes. I believe they, the US, and most other countries in the world would rather suffer a tactical strike than crack the lid on indiscriminate ASAT usage.
- mips_avatar 8y agoIf the India was expecting a bombing of Delhi from Chinese aircraft.
- ethbro 8y agoThen sure. But that's what game theory is about. India announces that if China bombs Delhi, all options are on the table. China mulls over the potential ASAT repercussions and decides the strike isn't worth it. That's the inherent safety of MAD. It requires no trust in your counterparty -- only convincing them that you will extract a heavy toll if (and only if!) they take a specific action.
- sys_64738 8y agoIf a rogue nation develops such missile technology then they could cause incredible disruption to the rest of the world. E.g. think of the DPRK being able to knock out GPS satellites - this missile tech could bring is western currency for the DPRK if the like of al-Quieda or the Taleban were willing to pay millions of $$$ to them for downing US military sats.
- Zancarius 8y agoGPS satellites aren't in low earth orbit, though. I'd imagine taking out something 12,000 miles up is going to remain out of reach for countries like the DPRK. There's some fear mongering over China related to this[1], but I don't think the capability has ever been demonstrated because of the implications. [1] https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china-will-soon-be-able-destroy-every-satellite-space-27182 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china-will-soon-be-ab... Edit: I posted incorrect information. GPS satellites orbit at ~12,000 miles, not GSO at 22,000.
- petre 8y agoOne doesn't even need to blow them up. An EMP from a thermonuclear blast would probably fry ther circuitry anyway.