Vulerable sattelites chart. Chinese ASAT.

[Fakum12]

Every nation that can put a satellite in orbit can shoot another one down with the method that the chinese used.

[plato]

Every nation that can put a satellite in orbit can shoot another one down with the method that the chinese used.

What method did they use?

[Fakum12]

They launched a (ballistic) missile which made a rather hard rendevous with the target. Almost the same procedure like when a freighter makes a flight to the ISS. Only that the freighter slows down before meeting with the ISS...

[sferrin]

Here's a site with some VERY interesting information. Check out towards the bottom the video "Download HD Video of Chinese ASAT Test"


http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp

I imagine if the space station gets tagged with debris from the ASAT test someone might get a bit pissed (although not in a war-starting way I'd think)

[plato]

Here's a site with some VERY interesting information. Check out towards the bottom the video "Download HD Video of Chinese ASAT Test"


http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp

I imagine if the space station gets tagged with debris from the ASAT test someone might get a bit pissed (although not in a war-starting way I'd think)

Cool find! So, what if debris hit the space station or any other object? Are there any laws regarding this?

[angry cow]

Why would the Chinese take out GPS? What system will their precision weapons use to hit their targets?

(They use GPS just like we do)

[Satellite Weapon]

Why would the Chinese take out GPS? What system will their precision weapons use to hit their targets?

(They use GPS just like we do)

There are 2 alternate systems to GPS, the Russian Glonass and the galileo being built by the Euros.
Washington would attack EU satellites during a chinese standoff ?
http://uplink.space.com/printthread....11&type=thread

[Basillicus]

Why would the Chinese take out GPS? What system will their precision weapons use to hit their targets?

(They use GPS just like we do)

I think US armed forces are much more reliant on precision weapons and therefore GPS than Chinese. So shutting it down would certainly benefit them. But shooting "down" GPS satellites is still impossible; they are over 20000 km away, and this missile can't reach even 1000km.

[JoaMei]

I posted this question at another thread, but no one answered it. So, I am posting it again: Can US or Russia attack a satellite at 12,600 miles altitude?

You can answer the Question yourself:

On any orbit you can bring a satellite, you can bring a kill vehicle too. There is no safe orbit.