Space operations and thinking (merged thread)

[AdamG]

Russia and China are developing 'destructive' space weapons, US intelligence warns

Russia and China could soon possess "destructive" space weapons that could be used against the U.S., according to American intelligence agencies.
The two United Nations Security Council members are pursuing such "anti-satellite weapons as a means to reduce U.S. and allied military effectiveness," the report said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/14/russ...elligence.html

[AdamG]

The Russian military says it successfully placed three classified communications satellites into orbit today, along with the upper stage of the rocket that put them there. But according to the U.S. military's Combined Space Operations Center, or CSpOC, a fifth object, possibly another, unannounced satellite, may have hitched a ride into space on the launch.

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone...sed-to-be-four

[AdamG]

I can see where this could have implications.

(CNN)NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission and the asteroid Bennu have had a date planned for two years, and just after noon ET today, they finally got to meet face to face. OSIRIS-REx fired its thrusters for a small burn, putting it about 4.3 miles from Bennu, marking the end of its journey to the asteroid.

The mission -- which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer -- is NASA's first asteroid sample return mission. It launched in September 2016 and will spend two years up close and personal with Bennu. First images of the asteroid from the spacecraft's perspective have appeared as it got closer and closer.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/03/world...ous/index.html

[AdamG]

"Why?'

Others have explored the far side of the moon from afar, but Chinese researchers are hoping a soft landing on the dark side of the lunar surface will allow for more detailed study.

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/08/67500...ide-of-the-moo

[AdamG]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring that space is the new warfighting domain, President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed the U.S. will develop an unrivaled missile defense system to protect against advanced hypersonic and cruise missile threats from competitors and adversaries.

Trump said in a Pentagon speech that the U.S. will do what it takes “to ensure that we can detect and destroy any missile launched against the United States anywhere, any time, any place.”

https://apnews.com/33e12cf640a6408bb11aa3defa864966

Art imitates life. Life imitates art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtIuPWiPk9s