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Ask HN: Did you know the US launched a test nuclear missile two days ago?

I don't know if what I'm seeing is a joke, or if the mass media just forgot to report it, or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, etc.

tus666 4y ago
Message to a certain someone perhaps?
- warinukraine 4y ago
  My previous account got banned because I expressed being against Russia's aggression. Just saying.
  - dang 4y ago
    We don't ban accounts for reasons like that. Please see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32816146 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32816146.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
novateg 4y ago
https://www.dw.com/en/us-announces-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test/a-63037448 https://www.dw.com/en/us-announces-intercontinental-ballisti...
no-dr-onboard 4y ago
Happens quite frequently if you know where to look. They’re called “footshots” and are typically done from Vandenberg AFB into small remote islands to test internal components and electrical equipment of Reentry Vehicle style warheads. No physics/nuclear payload obviously.
- bombcar 4y ago
  Yep, when the sky was just right the sun would hit the trails, looked pretty impressive.
stevenalowe 4y ago
"The aim is to "demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces.""
propogandist 4y ago
Mass media only likes to cover stories that advance the “orange man bad” narrative. Anything to distract Americans from the real problems that face the nation
mwattsun 4y ago
I've been around a long time and I don't know when anyone ever paid any attention to these tests. The only reason I do is that I was on a missile equipped submarine.
jryb 4y ago
These tests are performed routinely. I can't find the reference but i believe it's every two weeks or so.
- Centrino 4y ago
  Here’s the full list of Minuteman test launches: https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/Minuteman.html https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/Minuteman.html
porcoda 4y ago
There’s nothing really special to read into this given their regularity over the last few decades. You can see past ones listed on the Vandenberg AFB web site every year or two. It was more interesting that they delayed one due to the tensions with China a month or so ago, likely to avoid sending the wrong message.

I don't know if what I'm seeing is a joke, or if the mass media just forgot to report it, or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, etc.

tus666 4y ago

Message to a certain someone perhaps?

warinukraine 4y ago
My previous account got banned because I expressed being against Russia's aggression. Just saying.
- dang 4y ago
  We don't ban accounts for reasons like that. Please see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32816146 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32816146.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

novateg 4y ago

https://www.dw.com/en/us-announces-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test/a-63037448 https://www.dw.com/en/us-announces-intercontinental-ballisti...

no-dr-onboard 4y ago

Happens quite frequently if you know where to look. They’re called “footshots” and are typically done from Vandenberg AFB into small remote islands to test internal components and electrical equipment of Reentry Vehicle style warheads. No physics/nuclear payload obviously.

bombcar 4y ago
Yep, when the sky was just right the sun would hit the trails, looked pretty impressive.

stevenalowe 4y ago

"The aim is to "demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces.""

propogandist 4y ago

Mass media only likes to cover stories that advance the “orange man bad” narrative. Anything to distract Americans from the real problems that face the nation

mwattsun 4y ago

I've been around a long time and I don't know when anyone ever paid any attention to these tests. The only reason I do is that I was on a missile equipped submarine.

jryb 4y ago

These tests are performed routinely. I can't find the reference but i believe it's every two weeks or so.

Centrino 4y ago
Here’s the full list of Minuteman test launches: https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/Minuteman.html https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/Minuteman.html

porcoda 4y ago

There’s nothing really special to read into this given their regularity over the last few decades. You can see past ones listed on the Vandenberg AFB web site every year or two. It was more interesting that they delayed one due to the tensions with China a month or so ago, likely to avoid sending the wrong message.