The Chinese launch in 2007 of a direct ascent
antisatellite weapon to destroy an old satellite in low-Earth orbit caused concern.
The spent rocket was a leftover from China's test of an
antisatellite weapon in 2007.
moves toward space control; some interpret the development of a kinetic-kill
antisatellite weapon by China in this context.
Whether this was done by triggering an internal mechanism or as a test of an
antisatellite weapon is an interesting and open question.
Since they are used to track American naval fleets, the Defense Department sees them as a major argument for developing an American
antisatellite weapon system, something that Brown and other Congressional opponents have managed to block so far.
The United States wanted allies to seek answers to questions about China's ASAT program: Would there be "further tests of a direct-ascent
antisatellite weapon or other
antisatellite weapons, capabilities, or technologies?
Dan Quayle is also an admirer; once, in a speech on the Senate floor, Quayle advocated funding the ASAT
antisatellite weapon on the grounds that it was what won the war in Red Storm Rising.
In light of recent significant Chinese achievements in this realm (including the acknowledged testing of an
antisatellite weapon on 11 January 2007), however, such factors should perhaps be integrated into follow-on studies by O'Rourke and his colleagues.
The author, Dean Cheng, argues that China sees space as a "major component of future conflict," although its motives remain unclear at times, such as those surrounding the January 2007
antisatellite weapon test.
The scam this summer involves Reagan's plan to test a new American
antisatellite weapon (ASAT), which is apparently part of the antimissile system included in the Star Wars scheme.
nuclear cooperation agreement, China's test of an
antisatellite weapon, India's testing and pursuit of theater missile defenses, and India's and Pakistan's military modernization programs can all be defined as influencing factors.
Despite a barrage of criticism from the Democrats, funding for President Reagan's
antisatellite weapon (ASAT) program squeaked through Congress.