China ASAT Test? Troubling Debris
Posted on January 18, 2007 @ 09:25:00 EST
Author Leonard David
Looks like worrisome news from above.
There’s a growing number of sources suggesting that China has tested an anti-satellite (ASAT) device, knocking out one of its own satellites - an old weather spacecraft. The test reportedly made use of a ballistic missile to reach the satellite, using some sort of kinetic kill device to destroy the spacecraft.
Leading the charge in reporting this January 11th event is Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine, which will detail China’s possible ASAT test in its magazine next week.
Citing military and intelligence sources, AW&ST will report that the possible test took out Feng Yun 1C (FY-1C), polar orbiting weather satellite launched in 1999.
Indeed, SPACE.com sources have confirmed that that FY-1C has broken up into hundreds and hundreds of pieces, fluttering through low Earth orbit. The mess of space junk does put other satellites, including the International Space Station at some risk - although chances of this are very small.
Clearly, such a provocative act — if confirmed — will spark U.S. reaction as outlined in a newly issued Bush space policy.
Check out:
space.com
Meanwhile, space policy wonk, Jeffrey Lewis of the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland has responded to the prospective ASAT test in his online blog:
“The United States and other space-faring states should demarche the Chinese government for what is a stupid, clumsy and short-sighted decision,” Lewis wrote.
“Although this idiotic move by the Chinese government will demonstrate why we don’t want hit-to-kill ASAT testing in orbit - that will be a long-term recognition. In the short-term, the Chinese will simply not be credible partners in efforts to keep space peaceful. Moreover, other countries could follow suit with their own anti-satellite programs, including the United States.”
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