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| Science & Technology |
| How much of a gamechanger is Russia's new potential space laser for US, Israel? |
| 2022-07-15 |
| [Jpost] An open-source investigation published last week by The Space Review found that Russia is developing a new laser system in the Greater Caucasus mountain range that will disable foreign satellites. US satellites have been under attack by Russia and China since at least 2021 – and they are now going to potentially be even under a greater threat of severe attacks as Moscow develops a new satellite disrupting weapon. TIPPING THE SCALES Will the latest development tip the scales against the US, and indirectly Israel, in a way that could alter the playing field in space wars – with significant impacts also regarding military power and surveillance capabilities on Earth itself? In November 2021, NASA put an International Space Station spacewalk on hold that had been planned, citing a “debris notification” that could put crew members at risk. Though the specific source of the potential hazard was not disclosed, the decision came within weeks of a Russian anti-satellite weapon test that created a cloud of shrapnel in Earth's lower orbit. Unlike that anti-satellite weapon, the latest Russian weapon is being presented as more of a blinding and disabling one, suppressing electro-optical systems of satellites using solid-state lasers. In some ways, this is a relief, as weapons that disable and blind do not leave shrapnel in their wake, which can create substantial future risks to anything and anyone in Earth’s orbit for an indefinite period of time. However, the latest weapon may also be cheaper and easier to activate, and may especially allow Russia to blind American intelligence, and possibly even Israeli intelligence, in crucial arenas. For decades, US superiority with satellite intelligence has facilitated Washington projecting power across the globe and giving it distinct advantages. These advantages have often accrued also to Israel, whether it was tracing the Karine A mega weapons boat in 2001 which was beyond Jerusalem’s surveillance capabilities, or more recent tracking, early warning and sharing of intelligence by the US with Israel to assist with national defense. If Russia blinds America, Israel will also become a little bit more blind. Of course, the Jewish state has far more of its own satellite surveillance today than it did in 2001, but it still does not come anywhere near what the US can do. Moreover, relations between Israel and Russia are tenser now than they have been in more than a decade because of the situation in Ukraine. |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #5 A lot of satellites are already made of reflective metals to limit solar heat. I would think that would be a problem for a space laser. They'll have to target carefully. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2022-07-15 14:46 |
| #4 Big mirror. Reflect it back at the Kremlin. That would be fun. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-07-15 13:08 |
| #3 As long as it's not powered by gasoline and no one smokes around barrels. |
| Posted by: Dron66046 2022-07-15 12:56 |
| #2 Ask SpaceX to launch more cubesats -- quickly one "Paris Gun" sized facility will be swamped. The huge spysats are nice but no longer necessary with the advancements in technology. |
| Posted by: magpie 2022-07-15 09:50 |
| #1 Think about how much AIR & OZONE a Terawatt Laser will destroy in a burst reaching 110+ Miles up? Where are the Climate _insert the latest name_ 😎📣 fanatics on this? Additional Data on the Russian Laser |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2022-07-15 08:55 |