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Russian company eyes offensive military satellite
Published: 26 January, 2010, 15:40
Edited: 22 June, 2010, 07:47
TAGS: Arms, Space, Russia, SciTech, Politics
Leading Russian spacecraft producer Energia has presented a concept of a universal military satellite with offensive capabilities.
The 20-ton orbiter with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years would be powered by a 150 to 500 kilowatt nuclear reactor and will be able to “monitor territories and airspace, provide informational superiority – including in armed conflicts – and perform target designation and traffic control. It will also be offensive-capable,” said Energia head Vitaly Lopota, as cited by ITAR-TASS news agency.
He did not specify what offensive capabilities the satellite would have; whether it will be able to target other spacecraft, ground targets, or both.
The concept goes against Russia’s voiced intention to keep space an arms-free zone. However, with several nations believed to be actively pursuing space-based or anti-satellite weapons, Energia’s design may find support among the country’s leadership.
26.01.2010, 12:49
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27.01.2010, 14:30
4 comments
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What's with all the talk of America ready to attack Russia? That's nuts... The attitude towards Russia in the US is a great one. The American people would never stand for an attack on Russia short of Russia attacking us. Do people just yearn for the cold war or something? Personally, I think it's really great how both of our countries have been cooperating on space-related ventures. All this talk of 'colonial expanision' is nothing more than outmoded rhetoric. Let it go. Many Americans, including myself, have a ton of respect for Russia and love your country and people. And your vodka. Please send more vodka.
One thing is antagonism towards the USA and European states, and other against their people. It's a fact that Russia is a threat to United States' and European hegemony and it's just logical to assume that they'll keep being as hostile to Russia as they were to the USSR so long as Russia is not submissive to them. USSR had so much military potential, it'd be good if Russia could actually get at least close to that potential.
I do not really understand the fuzz. Such a satellite either is moving at very high speed and will be passing over "territory of interest" just for a few minutes (to get more or less realistic resolution it needs to "dive" close to the planet, which mean a huge speed boost). Or if you put it geo-stationary, then it will simply not have any acceptable resolution for it's image systems. This is the same problem US satellite group has. Not to mention that to decipher the digital info from a satellite you would need hours, again, same as US satellites (with exception those made by Hollywood). I think it is just another wonderwaffen.