Space Weapons and Technology

The idea of weapons in space is a topic that keeps resurfacing throughout the years. Ever since the moon walking proved space travel was possible there developed many theories and facts about what can happen beyond our atmosphere.

The ideas of weapons stationed or launched from a planetary orbit were once thoughts only held by science fiction writers. But how much turned out to be simply fiction? At the moment there are many ideas at work about what kinds of weapons can be developed. What emerged was the conception of whether or not these weapons would even be a reasonable undertaking for any country to attempt. A particle beam weapon that would be mounted on a satellite with the ability to fire an energy blast at target normally unreachable by land or air based means, there already are satellites that monitor missile sites all over the world.

A beam weapon would give these satellites offensive abilities by being able to position itself above the target and fire with pin point accuracy. But such a weapon would require a massive amount of energy to be generated, possible needing multiple power plants installed directly into the satellite, making them large and vulnerable to being destroyed by an enemy, not to mention the financial debt it would cost to create such an object. Two more reliable weapons proposed are thunder rods and asteroid bombs. Thunder rods are long, slender kinetic energy devices that are tossed from orbit and the high velocity they would generate could cause largely destructive effects. Asteroid bombs would literally use a device to harvest a passing asteroid and plummet it into the planet. However, only thunder rods are a fiscally acceptable method of weaponry. Scientists claim that any nation that possesses nuclear abilities would indulge in space weaponry as a purely academic venture.

For those individuals that are interested in the defense and safety side of space technology, there are advances being made everyday. Project B612 was established four years ago by a group concerned about a theoretical impact of an asteroid with the Earth's surface. Their proposal is that a controlled propulsion apparatus latches itself to the impending asteroid and then, using a slow thrust method, gradually pushing it out of the path of our planet, like a tugboat would push a floating log. They believe that funding into the project will yield a scientific bonanza in both space power and propulsion. Also, to demonstrate another theory, let's suggest you are lost in orbit and are rapidly descending or own a satellite that's orbit is decaying. Then a SLES (Space Life Extension System) has been designed to launch, attach itself onto the descending object, and push it back into a higher orbit.

For the subjects of space technology that are neither offensive nor defensive we can start with a long proposed concept of the space elevator. The Space elevator is an actual reality that simply requires more funding into the creation of the material that will be required for its construction. Carbon nanotubes are a substance that is already constructed and used in laboratories as test vials. By re-engineering the nanotubes, to meet large scale requirements, it forms the beginning of a space elevator tube. High Lift Systems, the agency working on the project, claim that the completion of the elevator is more of a funding issue than anything else. Imagine being able to take an elevator to an orbiting space station?

These are but a few examples of the space technology that are being thought up and advanced daily. If the science-fiction writers of the past had known what kinds of their ideas we possessed today, you have to wonder what other marvels they may have dreamt up for our enjoyment. So, despite what is impossible, we have to stand in amazement at the ideas that are possible and within our grasp.

Kai Keindel