US trying to claim near-earth orbit for it's own?

[Rokenn]

U.S. 'negation' policy in space raises concerns abroad

excerpt:

Beginning next year, NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) will be in charge of the new Offensive Counter-Space program, which will come up with plans to specifically deny the use of near-Earth space to other nations, said Teets. The program will include two components: the Counter Communication System, designed to disrupt other nations' communication networks from space; and the Counter Surveillance Reconnaissance System, formed to prevent other countries from using advanced intelligence-gathering technology in air or space.

As noted in the full article this would even apply to 'allies'. I have a feeling we will have few if/when this goes into effect. I guess we are heading for world rule after all.

[DJG]

Now this, I do not like the sound of.

I don't have the time to read it, but I assume they'll let their allies communicate right? Still, it isn't very good....

[Stormymystic]

WHAT???? are we trying to start another war on our own land????????

[Sir Goulum]

Thats just crazy...and scary....

[Luvian]

What Sig G said...

[Azred]

No, this isn't scary...it's ridiculous and stupid. I have no doubt that some in the military think this is a good idea, but not all ideas that sound great in a planning room work too well in reality.

True, this will impact only nations who possess the capability to put many objects into near-Earth orbit, and since some of those nations are our allies we cannot realistically hamper their own intelligence-gathering capabilities. Besides, how else could you enforce such control without blowing up their satellites?

Someone will come out and say that these were "merely predictions", "scenarios", or some such nonsense; this will cause the news story to fall below the public's radar, after which research will continue (but the paranoids will keep up with developments).

[Indemaijinj]

The problem with this is still that the borders between the military and the commercial sector are not as distinct as they should ideally be.


Industrial espionage perpetrated by US agencies are not unheard of. They might also want to consolidate their position in the space industry.


China has big space ambitions and possesses the technology and industrial capacity necessary as well as a political system that makes it very easy to assign huge resources to such "prestige projects". Also there is a very big probability that China will aim for some kind of military advantage from this.

While Europe doesn't pose any big thread military-wise they might be a great economical contender with their often extremely cheap and cost-efficient solutions. They might become an industry leader if not kept down by forces outside the market.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Rokenn: I guess we are heading for world rule after all.

That's no secret. The American government (I believe Chaney was one of the prime movers) courted a document detailing how they would plan for America to have 'overwhelming global dominance in every domain' in the next 50 years or so. The world is what you're after.

Every other government in the world probably has something comparable, but the USA is the only one that could pull it off (or would even seriously try).

This really comes as no surprise to me. As you said, the US will have no allies if it continues to be so extrovertly aggressive on stamping a 'USA stamp of ownership' on everything on the face of the Earth (and above it).

[Stratos]

I'm just waiting for Yorick to butt in and start talkling about the Empire of America.

Seriously, I don't like this either. Why spend so much money on something like this? The US already have a military dominance in the World. The countries they mentioned in the War on Terrorism ( such as the Axis of Evil) don't have the ability ( or a very limited one ) to send intelligence gathering satellites into space. Is this only another attempt to secure their foothold as the dominant military force? A hint to China, perhaps?

[Azred]

Originally posted by Bardan the Slayer: That's no secret. The American government (I believe Chaney was one of the prime movers) courted a document detailing how they would plan for America to have 'overwhelming global dominance in every domain' in the next 50 years or so. The world is what you're after.

I can live with that. When in Rome, it pays to be a Roman citizen. [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]