Challenges loom as Obama seeks space weapons ban

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50O15X20090125

Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:14am EST  
 
By Andrea Shalal-Esa - Analysis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's pledge to seek a worldwide ban on weapons in space marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy while posing the tricky issue of defining whether a satellite can be a weapon.

Moments after Obama's inauguration last week, the White House website was updated to include policy statements on a range of issues, including a pledge to restore U.S. leadership on space issues and seek a worldwide ban on weapons that interfere with military and commercial satellites.

It also promised to look at threats to U.S. satellites, contingency plans to keep information flowing from them, and what steps are needed to protect spacecraft against attack.

The issue is being closely watched by Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, the biggest U.S. defense contractors, and other companies involved in military and civilian space contracts.

Watchdog groups and even some defense officials welcomed the statement, which echoed Obama's campaign promises, but said it would take time to hammer out a comprehensive new strategy.

Enacting a global ban on space weapons could prove even harder.

For instance, it was difficult to define exactly what constituted a "weapon" because even seemingly harmless weather tracking satellites could be used to slam into and disable other satellites, said two U.S. officials involved in the area who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Michael Krepon, co-founder of the private Henry L. Stimson think tank on space, cited recent reports that the Pentagon was using two smaller satellites launched in 2006 to fly near a dead missile-warning satellite and investigate what happened. The Defense Support Program satellite, DSP-23, built by Northrop, failed on orbit in mid-September.

"This incident clarified how important it is to have rules of the road for technologies that could have many different applications," Krepon said. "There are lots of benign reasons to have a closer look at an object in space. But we all know that when satellites make close passes they could also do things that are not benign."

Two years ago, China used a missile to destroy one of its own satellites in a test that raised worries about a new arms race in space. The incident may have created thousands of pieces of debris. Last year, the United States also destroyed one of its own satellites, saying its toxic fuel tank could pose a danger if it fell to Earth.

MORE COOPERATION?

A defense official, who also asked not to be named, said the Obama administration had not yet held briefings for top officials working on military space issues, but it was clear that the focus would shift toward more diplomatic initiatives.

Work on classified projects involving an "active" military response to attacks against U.S. satellites might be halted in favor of more monitoring and passive protection measures, he said. He declined to give any more details.

The Obama administration also faces tough decisions on many multibillion-dollar satellite programs facing cost overruns and schedule delays, particularly at a time when rapid increases in military spending are grinding to a halt.

"There's still a lot of wiggle room" in the administration's statement on military space, said analyst Victoria Samson with the private Center for Defense Information. "But just the sheer fact that they are discussing it represents a real shift from the Bush administration."

ARRRRGH


This guy gets his policy positions from the NY Times op-ed page.  Our enemies have no compunction about weaponizing space.  Where does this idea space is some kind of virgin territory that cannot be weaponized come from?

Liberals?




 

Completely useless. Missles or rockets designed for something else could easily be reprogramed to take out satellites and it's already been proven to be an effective anti-satellite measure.

WE ARE DOOMED!

That's going to open a can of worms, especially if the ban includes banning defensive weapons, such as those intended for point defense against ASATs. The utility of space-based weapons will eventually win out over the political posturing. Space based lasers make too much sense for missile defense and anti-aircraft use to never develop.

its for the space babies dammit!

I bet China will get right on signing that treaty.  

That bitch better focus on real fucking issues, not trying to perma ban space weapons. Our loser president is soooo in over his head, it isnt even funny.

Does anybody else feel like hitting their head against the wall?

How can anyone be against 'common-sense weapons control' measures?

I don't think they're discussing anti-satellite weapons.

Think orbital weapons platforms –– JDAM from space type thing, except KE only.

I can't belive that he has not broken down and had his voice crack on TV yet.

It's only going to get worse.

Yes I can, make us Defenseless—Just Like Dec 7, 1941

I agree. Opposition to this isn't very bipartisan. It's time to move past the childish arguments of the past and just do what the one says. All hail the kenyan.

Exactly, obama is smart enough to know what China would do, but he'd rather see our nation fall. Now watch the morons call me a tin-foil artist for thinking he is anti-american.

I wanted "Rods from God".

When space weapons are outlawed, only the outlaws will have space weapons?

I'll take a Rods from the Gods please. Could have some fun with one of those...

Yeah, I don't see how this is gonna work. Congress is not gonna allow this to happen. Just like how Eisenhower tried is best, even with all the goodwill of the nation on his side, to try and stop the nuclear build up and such and Congress still went over him to get it done. Obama won't succeed in this area.

That fucker will have us all living in huts like his brother.

Murtha will vote for a demilitarized space if it'll get him 1,000 jobs in his district.

Yes.

As popular as the Rods from God idea is, I don't think it makes sense as the first application of space based weapons, especially until we have low-cost launch on demand vehicles in service.

I think the 'killer-app' for near term space based weapons is space based solid state lasers for use as anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons. By using a solid-state laser there would be no orbital logistics train as the weapon would be operational as long as power was available. (either from photovoltaic cells or a small reactor like the SP-100)

SBLs for the win!

Don't worry fellas.



I'll still be manning the door gun on the space shuttle.








That guy is gonna be the death of us all.



Seriously.

You bet they'll sign. It's a meaningless piece of paper and will make their strategic  competitors (us) WILLINGLY cede the ultimate high ground.

We're fucked.

I for one say "Ni hao!" to our new overlords and would like to tell them that I'd happily design weapons for them to use against the Muslims for the bargain basement price of a hot Asian chick and a NORINCO M4 clone.

+1

I hope he fails.

They'll be up there, they'll just be aimed at you.

yeah and they'll have lots of Chinese writing on the side

More useless than a bag of dicks.  Who again elected this limp-wristed faggot?

America. In a landslide.

   Arrogance and stupidity do not make a good combination for a countrys leader.

So what are we going to do about these then?

No kidding

If China and Russia say 'No' what is Obammy gonna do?

There was no landslide. Yeesh

What incentive do countries (the ones who can actually get to space, that is) have to agree to this ban?

What are the consequences of non-compliance? An angry letter?

Probably call Clinton and have him - or her - pander away more technology.

A non-binding UN Resolution.  

Duh.  

Most of arfcom out to be happy about this.  One more step into the pussification of the USA, which will lead to major attacks of terrorism and of course, TEOTWAWKI and SHTF everywhere.

Now the arfcom computer commandos can have the excuses they always wanted to kill and maim with their totally pimped out tacticool AR's and use some of those 3000 Pmags and cut into the ammo fort, along with getting to wear their latest digi cammies with the MOUT gear.  And of course, sporting a woody.

They'll sign, then completely ignore it.

Case in point: the Soviets signed a treaty with the US to ban biological weapons, and they were manufacturing TONS of Anthrax and other shit the entire time.

Our enemies thank you, Mr Obama

So, far this idiot has been trying to undo everything that Bush did just for the hell of it. He is an arrogant asshole who will hopefully be taught a lesson in 4 years.

It was MUCH worse.


"Soviet Union Once Deployed Smallpox-Tipped ICBM"

http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2003_10_22.html#2B4D59F2

"It was “absolutely obvious” that the effect of some biological weapons “would exceed some forms of nuclear weapons,” he said."

It'd be great... except for the fact that despite what the Brady Campaign claims, a .50 caliber rifle can't really shoot down a satellite.

Your forgetting HE is the ENEMY

Yep.

Read "Biohazard" by Ken Alibek. They're not stupid enough to abide by meaningless treaties.

I can't even say I blame them. Only an idiot would.

This will not apply to pre ban space weapons


ok admit it, we're fucked............ better find the rosetta stone chinese version.

He's the greatest enemy of the U.S. right now.  No one else is close.

HH

Well there goes my dream of becoming a space shuttle door gunner.

That seems about right.....