A new space war

Last week China showed off her military power by shooting down an old Chinese satellite using a ballistic missile. I don’t think it is too difficult in the 21 century. All the reports I read from Chinese media cheer this event, and believe this test gives China tremendous political leverage to bargain with the US. However, the hawks in DC might very much appreciate Chinese government. A recent Wired article (Fanning Fears of a Space War) cited Hank Cooper, a former director of the Strategic Defense Initiative: "I hope the Chinese test will be a wake up call to people. I'd like to see us begin a serious anti-satellite program."

It is premature to see how practical this Chinese prototype missile will be in wartime, or how much risk China will take to destroy a US satellite. The US is still many decades ahead of China in space technology. The ripple generated by the missile might be favorable to China as they hoped. Maybe not.