Chinese test missile obliterates satellite

[CodeRed68]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/01/18/china.missile/index.html

Should we be worried? Are they looking to use technology in the future to "persuade" the U.S. when/if they are looking to invade Taiwan?

[Chacal]

Why have the US, Canada and Australia protested? Are we supposed to have a monopoly over space weapons?

[CodeRed68]

Originally posted by Chacal
Why have the US, Canada and Australia protested? Are we supposed to have a monopoly over space weapons?

It's very confusing as to why or should they even feel the right to have a say.
There is this quote from the article:

"Under a space policy authorized by President Bush in August, the United States asserts a right to "freedom of action in space" and says it will "deter others from either impeding those rights or developing capabilities intended to do so."

The policy includes the right to "deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to U.S. national interests." "

To me, I don't understand who sets the precedent on whom is allowed to militarize or monitor space technology?

[Buliwyf]

fear

[Chacal]

So basically with this policy the US govt gives himself the right to freedom of action in space and denies the same right to everyone else.

[jingleBoy]

dumb move by china...

i bet there will be lots of patriot sams positioned thruout asia very shortly

[petersapien]

Originally posted by Chacal
So basically with this policy the US govt gives himself the right to freedom of action in space and denies the same right to everyone else.

I could see it ending badly

[ShellShock]

I guess Star Wars is real now...

[cartboy519]

I know i live in the US and all, but i guess i don't understand why "we have the right to have weapons? and yet no one else can. Aparently we are scare of the harsh reality of people hating us and wanting to kill us! sorry for the rant, just one mans opinion.

[CreepingCharlie]

Well it will be NK first before China ever attacks us. But I will say that what China did is great threat to our military's use of satellites.

[Darknut]

We don't protest weapons development in countries that we know will not use them to start a war. China, North Korea and most countries in the Middle East don't exactly have the reputation for just use of weapons. China has been threatening Taiwan for years with hostile takeover... China should have just given it up by now as there really isn't much in it for them anymore. The war with North Korea isn't over, which some people think it is, we only agreed not to fight; the war technically still continues.

[Chacal]

If they gave up, they would lose face, and this is very important in Asian cultures.

[cartboy519]

Originally posted by Darknut
We don't protest weapons development in countries that we know will not use them to start a war. China, North Korea and most countries in the Middle East don't exactly have the reputation for just use of weapons.

Good point darknut, i guess we try to control the weapons in the countries that are kill crazy.

[Major SONAR]

All the countries in the world cannot have equal power. Some will be stronger, some weaker. IMHO USA was/is the strongest military power on the planet.

Let me pose a question to you... If you were the biggest badass on the planet, would you be willing to let the smaller kids have acces to weapons that could threaten your dominance? HELL NO!

Fortunately USA has never been ruled by a dictator. While our government may not always make the right choices (and frequently makes wrong ones), we are not an aggressive nation. I base this statement on the fact that as the most powerful nation on earth, we could easily have taken over any country of our choosing, but have not.

If I was the most powerful nation on the planet, I would do whatever was needed to ensure I stayed in power. How can you protect your citizens with a weak military??

So you think all nations should be equal?? I suppose you would rather have countries like communist China (with very little freedom), or perhaps the former USSR (again very little freedom), or perhaps you would rather have Iraq, Iran, N. Korea being the strongest mitlitary power on the planet??

No thanks... I think I'll stay right here in the good 'ol USA. A country where I have many freedoms AND A STRONG MILITARY!

In summary, as the most powerful nation on the planet, it only makes sense to supress any other nation that might question our dominance.

[SavageParrot]

Lets face it what pisses you off is not that they did it but that their missile didn't miss. How's star wars coming along?

Besides why wouldn't they develop a missile to remove sattelites. I mean maybe if you didn't use the sattelites to routinely spy on other sovereign nations at leisure...