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Breaking Defense: Chinese ASAT Test Was ‘Successful:’ Lt. Gen. Raymond
COLORADO SPRINGS: We’ve known for some time that China conducted an anti-satellite test July 23 last year, but we learned today that that test was “successful” even if it didn’t destroy anything.
China has successfully placed low earth orbit satellites at risk, Air Force Lt. Gen. Jay Raymond told an overflow audience at the annual Warfighters Lunch at the Space Symposium here. “Soon every satellite in every orbit will be able to be held at risk,” the head of the 14th Air Force said.
China has claimed the test was for missile defense and noted that nothing was destroyed in the test. Raymond clearly wanted to dispel that impression and make certain everyone in the space community knew that China had executed another ASAT test and that it had worked.
WNU Editor: This is a major shift from the U.S. .... it was only last year that China's anti-satellite capabilities were being discounted .... China’s Deceptively Weak Anti-Satellite Capabilities (The Diplomat).
More News On Reports That China's Anti-Satellite Test Was 'Successful' Last Year
China's Next Super Weapon Revealed: Satellite Destroyers -- Zachary, Keck, National Interest
The Air Force is making preparations for potential conflicts in space -- Business Insider
US Prepares for Space Warfare, Citing Chinese Success -- Space Daily/Sputnik
China Missile Test Highlights Space Weapons Threat -- Washington Free Beacon
1 comment:
It became clear a while ago that satellites were highly susceptible to destruction via enemy fire when China, then the US, demonstrated it by killing satellites that were about to fall from orbit. That suggests that the first to go in an all out war will be the communications and other information provided by satellites. I wonder if that is what the mystery space shuttle flights are about, providing backup communications.
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