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February 21, 2008
President Reagan, “Star Wars” Rocks!
Posted by Tina Grazier
“Satellite Hit Boosts Missile Defense,” by Robert Burns, AP Military Writer
The stunning image of a Navy missile streaking into outer space at 6,000 mph to obliterate an orbiting spy satellite boosts the credibility of missile-defense advocates. Yet questions remain whether that success could be duplicated against a surprise, real-world attack. ** The idea, whether the target is an unarmed satellite or an enemy missile, is basically the same: fire a guided missile into the path of the moving target and smash it to bits by the force of impact. In theory, the collision could render harmless even a nuclear- or chemical-armed missile, an idea that evolved from President Reagan's "star wars" program of the 1980s. ** In the case of the spy satellite, a Navy SM-3 missile launched from a cruiser in the Pacific not only hit the U.S. satellite but apparently struck precisely where its operators had aimed: a titanium-encased tank of fuel that officials said could pose a health hazard to humans on re-entry. ** Henry Cooper, who was the Pentagon's "star wars" chief from 1990-93, said the outcome bodes well for the Navy and prospects for adding to its missile defense repertoire. ** "It's definitely a boost for the Navy program because everybody is made aware of the flexibility and perhaps even the reliability of program," Cooper said in a telephone interview.
Posted by Post Scripts at February 21, 2008 10:18 PM
Comments
Of course the satellite was a stationary object that employed no countermeasures. In the real world of ballistic missiles with multiple warheads and the use of sophisticated countermeasures, missile defense is nothing more than corporate welfare.
Posted by: Sean at February 22, 2008 10:11 AM
The US Constitution calls for the defense of the nation specifically. It does not mention welfare, healthcare, or any of the other programs the left loves so much. Who would you suggest should build for our defense if not a corporation that has invested time, money, energy and man power in developing the needed technologies or products?
Maybe the homeless huh? They could use some work and they are so qualified too. We'll defend the nation with a sign scrawled on a piece of cardboard. A smart A**ed answer for sure but geez what are you thinking?
You seem to be an incredibly ungrateful person. You're living in a country with opportunities to be what ever you want and do most anything you want and all you can offer is gripes and complaints about things you know little about...except for the usual liberal crapola.
Yes, the test was not perfect. You should hope and pray we are never in a position to actually try it under "real world" conditions...but I wouldn't count on it. In the mean time our government and our president have endeavored, in todays "real world," to keep the solumn oath to defend the nation per the Constitution.
Posted by: Tina at February 22, 2008 11:49 AM
Wrong, Sean. The satelite was far from being stationary. It was traveling at 17,000 mph. It was also approximately 130 miles above the earth. It was carrying 1,000 lbs. of deadly hydrazine fuel that would be spread into the air upon impact with the earth, representing a small target at that distance. By intercepting the satelite, the US missle caused the hydrazine to burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere. The interception was a triumph of science for the benefit of all people on earth. Even those who hate America should acknowledge that.
Posted by: Dan at February 22, 2008 06:03 PM