Knocking out another countries satellites is what would be done in a first strike nuclear attack according to modern military theorists.
China has tested space to space satellite weapons.
Russia has now tested space to space satellite weapons.
The US has not tested any space to space military assets and doesn't have this functionality as far as what is currently known. (The rumor mill also currently says the US has no such functionality and requires ground take off).
The reason this is important is that any response to a direct satellite attack would potentially take greater than 30 minutes using ground based weapons. (Again rumor mill).
>The US has not tested any space to space military assets and doesn't have this functionality as far as what is currently known. (The rumor mill also currently says the US has no such functionality and requires ground take off).
While the story goes that the satellite was dangerous due to frozen ball of hydrazine fuel on board (as it failed soon after launch and still had full fuel load) it was also a perfect chance to test the existing ASAT capability.
China has tested space to space satellite weapons.
Russia has now tested space to space satellite weapons.
The US has not tested any space to space military assets and doesn't have this functionality as far as what is currently known. (The rumor mill also currently says the US has no such functionality and requires ground take off).
The reason this is important is that any response to a direct satellite attack would potentially take greater than 30 minutes using ground based weapons. (Again rumor mill).