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U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

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Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#21

Post by nine_k »

dragontamer wrote: post #6
setpatchaddress wrote: post #2

And why should we believe this? Edit: The "space force" needs to justify its existence, and this is a way for them to do it. Why haven't we heard about this before?

Because in a Taiwan scenario, China almost certainly would attack US Satellites. And vice versa: USA would want to stop Chinese Satellites, so that they are blind to the movement of our carriers. ----- Frankly, I'd expect that the Space Force is already conducting testing-level operations against our opponent's satellites. From temporary blindness (this laser-thing they're talking about), to permanent disablement (mi…

I can imagine lightweight semi-permanent disablement by spraying paint on lenses and wrapping the entire craft in aluminum foil. Zero space debris, and not even destruction of property.

This takes more fuel and an advanced robot craft, but should be preferable for a time when a fast all-out war is not being fought. And I hope both sides would like to avoid an all-out war.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#22

Post by Mizza »

setpatchaddress wrote: post #2

And why should we believe this? Edit: The "space force" needs to justify its existence, and this is a way for them to do it. Why haven't we heard about this before?

Space has been used for weapons of war since the V2 in 1944. The next Big Stupid War will certainly continue the trend.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#23

Post by gotoeleven »

fallingknife wrote: post #12

> There may come a point where we demonstrate some of our capabilities so that our adversaries understand they cannot deny us the use of space without consequence Obviously that time has come if they are attacking our satellites. Why is everyone in the US government so afraid to stand up to China?

Well the official line is because standing up to China is racist or something. Really it's because so many rich people in the US are beholden to China via investment and other business interests.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#24

Post by Terr_ »

dragontamer wrote: post #6
setpatchaddress wrote: post #2

And why should we believe this? Edit: The "space force" needs to justify its existence, and this is a way for them to do it. Why haven't we heard about this before?

Because in a Taiwan scenario, China almost certainly would attack US Satellites. And vice versa: USA would want to stop Chinese Satellites, so that they are blind to the movement of our carriers. ----- Frankly, I'd expect that the Space Force is already conducting testing-level operations against our opponent's satellites. From temporary blindness (this laser-thing they're talking about), to permanent disablement (mi…

There's also the Space Force versus the National Reconnaissance Office versus the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#26

Post by boomboomsubban »

fallingknife wrote: post #12

> There may come a point where we demonstrate some of our capabilities so that our adversaries understand they cannot deny us the use of space without consequence Obviously that time has come if they are attacking our satellites. Why is everyone in the US government so afraid to stand up to China?

Because I don't think one guy saying they're launching non-damaging attacks on satellites is worth making the lives of over a billion people worse.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#27

Post by notJim »

setpatchaddress wrote: post #2

And why should we believe this? Edit: The "space force" needs to justify its existence, and this is a way for them to do it. Why haven't we heard about this before?

I agree we should approach this with skepticism. By their nature, a lot of these things are hard to verify independently, and the incentives are for the military to exaggerate them. This article doesn't seem to even attempt to independently verify the facts. This should be treated as a press release from the military, not journalism.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#28

Post by pvarangot »

This is propaganda, the US is the only military with operational space drones and space planes. They have the technology and enough budget to defend military and commercial satellites and just looking for political support to actually do so.

The CCP military may be ahead in number of rockets but the US is way ahead in number of spy satellites by a far margin and can also commission civilian capabilities for this.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#29

Post by dylan604 »

fallingknife wrote: post #12

> There may come a point where we demonstrate some of our capabilities so that our adversaries understand they cannot deny us the use of space without consequence Obviously that time has come if they are attacking our satellites. Why is everyone in the US government so afraid to stand up to China?

Biting the hand that feeds you is typically frowned upon. You thought trade was disrupted by a mere global pandemic, wait until the disruptions from a global war kick in. We've fought wars for the past 20 years while spending on consumer goods has risen steadily and taxes have been lowered many times. Long has it been the populace has felt the pinch of giving things up to support the war effort, but go to war with the one place that supplies the majority of common goods, and the populace will get a rude awakening.

Re: U.S. satellites are being attacked every day according to Space Force general

#30

Post by fallingknife »

jimmygrapes wrote: post #18
fallingknife wrote: post #12

> There may come a point where we demonstrate some of our capabilities so that our adversaries understand they cannot deny us the use of space without consequence Obviously that time has come if they are attacking our satellites. Why is everyone in the US government so afraid to stand up to China?

To put it simply, the second we (U.S.) show what we can do, everyone else can start developing countermeasures. It requires a circumstance where the risk of exposing our capabilities is worth the deterrent or retributive effect. So far, throwing shit at satellites doesn't count.

That's a good point but when pushed, you have to push back. Not necessarily with your most advanced tech.
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