From: "Robert J. Chassell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
The US has every intention of deploying weapons in space, ...
What is interesting is not this statement, but that it has been more than 40 years since the US first tested a nuclear weapon in space.
Why are new reporters just now paying attention to a "U.S. 'negation' policy in space" that has been around for two generations? And why are they paying attention to the ability
As I took it, the main topic of concern was the proposed denial of access
to space spy/intelligence technology, even for US allies. I came across to
me almost as "The US will forbid all other countries to have any spy/intelligence
satellites." I've seen spin on this that the point is the US is intent on
developing greater capabilities to enforce denial (selectively) if necessary,
rather than this being a broad new policy of space denial to all other nations,
at all times. The article doesn't really come across that way, though.
to hit land and sea-based targets anytime, anywhere.
which was a stated goal of the Star Wars project a generation ago? (I still remember vividly diagrams of the lasers that would be put into the Space Shuttle's cargo bay.)
Wasn't Star Wars more about intercepting incoming ballistic missiles, rather than destroying ground targets?
Why this surprise? It is as if the writers have not paid attention to any military development since 1944.
You don't have to be a space opera science fiction reader to have heard about space warfare or space-to-planet bombardment ... or do you?
I didn't see much in the article that discussed bombardment. It seemed
focused on intelligence and communications. The surprise seems to be
over the interpretation I mention above, enhanced by the "If allies don't like
the new paradigm of space dominance ... they'll just have to learn to accept
it." and "no veto power" quotes. I don't think Reagan ever forbade the UK
from putting up spy sattelites...
-bryon
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