http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/01/1 … gory=space
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China Successfully Tests Space Weapon
Irene Klotz, Discovery News
Jan. 18, 2007 — China last week successfully tested a system that can destroy spacecraft, sending notice to the United States that it will not be the only country to be able to protect its satellites and spacecraft in orbit.
The Chinese test, which will be reported in next week's issue of Aviation Week and Space Technology, is believed to have occurred on Jan. 11. The magazine will report that a ballistic missile was fired from or near China's Xichang Space Center and that it successfully destroyed an old Chinese weather satellite as it flew about 530 miles above the planet.
U.S. officials have expressed concern over the test.
"The U.S. believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
The United States has not gone so far as to blow up a satellite in orbit. It has, however, flown spacecraft that can autonomously reach targets in orbit, such as defunct satellites and spent upper stage rocket bodies.
The Bush Administration also removed prohibitions against anti-satellite tests in space last year when it revised the country's National Space Policy, setting the stage for more advanced orbital demonstrations.
"Obviously we have a lot to lose and really nothing to gain from allowing space to become weaponized," said Leonor Tomero, a policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, D.C.
"If China testing an ASAT (anti-satellite) weapon is confirmed, then there will be an arms race in space if we allow this to happen," Tomero added. "It's hard to tell if China is doing this as a result of U.S. policy, but we do know the current administration's position in space will do nothing to help prevent the militarization of space."
For now, U.S. agencies are scrambling to uncover details of China's test and map space debris left in its wake. The White House on Thursday expressed its concerns about the Chinese anti-satellite test, saying it was throwback to another era.
"It certainly shows they have a new capability and they're willing to test it, said Joan Johnson Freese, a noted space policy expert who heads the Naval War College's National Security Studies department.
"It's not a leap-frog over anything the U.S. hasn't done," she said, adding, "It is surprising that they have a willingness to test it."
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China Successfully Tests Space Weapon
Irene Klotz, Discovery News
Jan. 18, 2007 — China last week successfully tested a system that can destroy spacecraft, sending notice to the United States that it will not be the only country to be able to protect its satellites and spacecraft in orbit.
The Chinese test, which will be reported in next week's issue of Aviation Week and Space Technology, is believed to have occurred on Jan. 11. The magazine will report that a ballistic missile was fired from or near China's Xichang Space Center and that it successfully destroyed an old Chinese weather satellite as it flew about 530 miles above the planet.
U.S. officials have expressed concern over the test.
"The U.S. believes China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese."
The United States has not gone so far as to blow up a satellite in orbit. It has, however, flown spacecraft that can autonomously reach targets in orbit, such as defunct satellites and spent upper stage rocket bodies.
The Bush Administration also removed prohibitions against anti-satellite tests in space last year when it revised the country's National Space Policy, setting the stage for more advanced orbital demonstrations.
"Obviously we have a lot to lose and really nothing to gain from allowing space to become weaponized," said Leonor Tomero, a policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, D.C.
"If China testing an ASAT (anti-satellite) weapon is confirmed, then there will be an arms race in space if we allow this to happen," Tomero added. "It's hard to tell if China is doing this as a result of U.S. policy, but we do know the current administration's position in space will do nothing to help prevent the militarization of space."
For now, U.S. agencies are scrambling to uncover details of China's test and map space debris left in its wake. The White House on Thursday expressed its concerns about the Chinese anti-satellite test, saying it was throwback to another era.
"It certainly shows they have a new capability and they're willing to test it, said Joan Johnson Freese, a noted space policy expert who heads the Naval War College's National Security Studies department.
"It's not a leap-frog over anything the U.S. hasn't done," she said, adding, "It is surprising that they have a willingness to test it."
