Weapons in Orbit...Cold War in space?

[seeder]

Quietly and without most people noticing, the world’s leading space powers — the United States, China and Russia — have been deploying new and more sophisticated weaponry in space.

Earth’s orbit is looking more and more like the planet’s surface — heavily armed and primed for war. A growing number of “inspection” satellites lurk in orbit, possibly awaiting commands to sneak up on and disable or destroy other satellites. Down on the surface, more and more warships and ground installations pack powerful rockets that, with accurate guidance, could reach into orbit to destroy enemy spacecraft.

A war in orbit could wreck the delicate satellite constellations that the world relies on for navigation, communication, scientific research and military surveillance. Widespread orbital destruction could send humanity through a technological time warp. “You go back to World War Two,” Air Force General John Hyten, in charge of U.S. Space Command, told 60 Minutes. “You go back to the Industrial Age.”

http://blogs.reuters...real-star-wars/

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Edited August 10, 2015 by seeder

[Zalmoxis]

There is no such thing as a "cold war". War is outright and declared and concerns heavy casualties. A "cold war" is an extension of the pre-war dance that happens before two countries (or more) go at it. Another words, it's like two guys were walking down the street and then quit walking to face eachother. They circled eachother with fists clenched and making frustrated fighting faces at eachother. And it would seem like any second now these two guys are gonna fight but then they don't, they circle eachother with fists clenched instead. And they do this for like 16 hours in a day. That's a "cold war".

[Ashotep]

Just wait until it starts on the moon or possibly Mars.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Zalmoxis, have you considered how illogical a post looks when it starts off by saying that something doesn't exist and then defines that very same thing?

For example a post that starts:

There is no such thing as a "cold war"

And ends with :

That's a "cold war".

Such contradiction and failure in logic rather renders a post irrelevant don't you think?

Edited August 10, 2015 by Waspie_Dwarf

[seeder]

To be fair, what the OP addresses, ie, knocking out satellites, makes total sense. Since we have gone digital and rely on satellites for all sorts especially navigation, communication etc , knocking them out will be a severe setback.

How could missiles find a target without the gps locations? Well Im sure they could find the old fashioned method, but nonetheless, we rely so much on the satellites now

typo

Edited August 10, 2015 by seeder

[toast]

There is no such thing as a "cold war". War is outright and declared and concerns heavy casualties.

A "cold war" is an extension of the pre-war dance that happens before two countries (or more) go at it.

The history of the past century has shown that your explanation of the term "cold war" is just your

individual explanation and so it is not backed by history.

Edited August 10, 2015 by toast

[PrisonerX]

WAR HUMANS!!!!! WE WON'T STOP UNTIL THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS A BATTLEFIELD WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Lol. How truly pathetic that this is even being talked about.

[MissJatti]

Space war should only be in Movies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWoGkrt5Upg

[TheGreatBeliever]

Wonder wat happens when space colonisation starts. Who is to take which part of the planets..

[+DieChecker]

HACKERS..... IN...in.... in.... in..... SPACE!!... Space... space... space....

If I read that right, this isn't about weapons in space but cyber weapons used against a nations assets in space.

I was hoping for TIE fighters and Ion Cannons.

[seeder]

HACKERS..... IN...in.... in.... in..... SPACE!!... Space... space... space....

If I read that right, this isn't about weapons in space but cyber weapons used against a nations assets in space.

I was hoping for TIE fighters and Ion Cannons.

HACKERS..... IN...in.... in.... in..... SPACE!!... Space... space... space....

If I read that right, this isn't about weapons in space but cyber weapons used against a nations assets in space.

I was hoping for TIE fighters and Ion Cannons.

The OP link mentions 'dual use' satellites, and satellites that could disable other satellites, amongst other stuff

[Infernal Gnu]

AWESOME! I hope that someday we will extend warfare to other dimensions as well.

Maybe even develop freeze rays so we can have cold wars as well.

[lightly]

Near space is next next frontier .. for offensive and defensive war toys profiteers.

it's the politicians job to talk about how crucial it all is.

Edited August 12, 2015 by lightly

[aquatus1]

The history of the past century has shown that your explanation of the term "cold war" is just your

individual explanation and so it is not backed by history.

It isn't totally wrong. Mostly just the "pre-war". A "Cold War" isn't pre-war. It is an actual state of war. It isn't as violent or immediate as what we normally think of as war, but there is a reason why the word is in the name. The example of the two men facing off but not fighting is fairly accurate. Where the intent of a "hot war" (to coin a non-existent term) is to defeat the enemy, the purpose of a "cold war" is basically to wait out the enemy. It is a siege, without the castle. It is detente, instead of diplomacy. A Cold War happens when both sides refuse to relent, but mutually recognize that straight-out conflict will result in both sides losing.

[+DieChecker]

Considering "space" is only 50 to 60 miles up, I think the prospect of machines fighting up there is terrifying. That is like if robots were fighting a war across town.