Yup. And one of the most advanced missiles didn't explode. Chinese happily took it home as sourviner.
There is, as far as I can determine, only one country that this can be used against extensively - the USA. I don't intend to imply that this should be viewed as an overtly hostile act, but it is without a doubt a weapon whose only real military use is against the USA. Plenty of other countries have satelites, but none of them are dependent on them for the military, like the US. If I was in the Pentagon, I think I would be significantly concerned about this.
All this act by China will do is insure the militarizing of space. Whether the US will install combat capability in low Earth orbit has remained up in the air. The tests by China just undercut those who oppose, in the United States, bringing weapons into space. A pity. D&D. Space, the Final Frontier.
I don't think it is right to have military races because it is bad for mankind most likely (unless aliens invade). However, the US government have been setting the example of what to do with military races for ages. Given the expanding Chinese interest around the globe, one can hardly fault the Chinese for stepping up its military modernization. If let's say in 50 years the Chinese have the largest economy in the world, should the Chinese government still let US be the only super power in the world? Basically, if US is expanding its capability, it is great, because US is such a peace loving nation, but any rival does it, my god, what do they want to do to us!
Maybe this is why we don't want China to have a dominant military. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China I know, I shouldn't judge.
Rumsfeld et al, prior to September 11, thought that militarizing space was a schweeet idea, which is one of the reasons why they unceremoniously dumped the ABM treaty (for a missile defense system that doesn't work and likely never will work, to fight a threat that doesn't exist) Anyway we can plan around this. I bet they already have stealth sats that the Chinese can't find, or dummy satellites, etc. Anyway, I'm sure if this escalates, a wasteful, useless space miltarization race, that will hurt both the US and the PRC, will be a grand, grand idea, if you work for lockheed.
I have seen unedited footage from about 5 years ago of NASA testing something that I am almost positive is the same sort of 'satellite killer' that China seems to have tested. If the United States doesn't have extensive space capability I would be flabbergasted. As far as the military build up of space, I am mixed as I have a sneaking suspicion that something like this is necessary to build the infrastructure that will allow me to spend my retirement years as a cyborg in a condo overlooking Vallis Marinaris. Seriously, do you think that we would have ever gone to the moon if it weren't for the dual use technologies relating to ICMBs and other military technologies? Since your boy brought up the idea I guess you might like to believe otherwise, but I think if you are realistic you might be at least willing to allow for the extreme acceleration of the program because of military dollars.
Being a Chinese myself and spent a good portion of my school years in Hong Kong, I'm well aware of the human rights issue in China. But if you look at the Chinese history, you'll find out that we are not as aggressive as you'd think (Unlike many European countries with colonies all over the world, China was actually a victim in this regard). However, military expansion/modernization is certainly needed these days. You could also say that this is for China's homeland security.
the US is at leat 2 decades ahead of anyone else in terms of testing satellite killers. An arms race with the US will eat up lots of chinese cash, with no end advantage. I'd like to think the chinese did this test to make the US re-consider a treaty.
Well, it will likel result in a new space race. China is all about waving it's penis right now as it feels the need to assert that it's a "man" of a nation - that it's a superpower and it's the new tough kid on the block and needs to be taken seriously. They want to be a regional power. Sadly, this is an action that doesn't really do anything but encourage nations like North Korea to test missles and probably will now lead to India wantting to do the same thing. I mean, Austrialia and Canada also protested - so this isn't just the U.S. complaining. No one wants an arms race in space - a pretty irresponsible act if you ask me. The communist regime in China's record of supression and intolerance has a lot to make the world fearful about. We need a peaceful and intelligent China, not the aggressive and saber-rattling one. The new world order is about economics - but I guess the Chinese feel threatned by the U.s., and likely has plans to resolve the Taiwan issue on it's own - by force if necessary. I wish China could play nice.
The headline made it seem like China shot down one of our satellites. And the line "a test that could undermine relations with the West..." was over the top. If the Korean war, Tianamen Sq, spy plane, stealing nuclear secrets, blinding laser, sneaky submarine and trade surplus didn't flip the boat, then file this under "mole hill".
unfortunately, i think whereever man goes he will bring conflict and war with him. in the words of the immortal Ben Folds: Lucretia walks into a room. Because she does it's not the same room The one she wanted to be in She says, everywhere I go, damn! There I am. And I just want to walk away
wow, very revealing reactions. I'm going to close my eyes and hope that those of you cheering this are foreigners. I also want to le you know that you are idiots if you think that you can somehow use China as a shield against America. China will never allow itself to be manipulated again by European interests or otherwise. There is like a multi hundred billion dollar trade with the U.S. Everything you hear is pure rhetoric and you're gullible enough to beleive it.
