Pentagon calls for an end to anti-satellite missile tests.

 

The International Space Station. CNBC/NASA.

The Pentagon calls for a total moratorium on anti-satellite missile tests after a Russian missile test caused a major amount of debris. CNBC. The missile test involved firing a missile at a defunct satellite causing 1500 pieces of debris and causing concerns about damage to the International Space Station. Four countries have tested anti-satellite missiles, including the United States, Russia, China and India. The tests can cause major damage to satellites and other space installations. Russia accused the United States of hypocrisy on this issue due to having conducted anti-satellite tests in the past. 

My Comment:

I am of two minds on this. I do think that the Russians have a point about hypocrisy here. We have done the same tests and it is pretty hypocritical to demand other nations to do so. And it's obvious that the primary concern is the fact that our military is incredibly dependent on satellites. It's an understatement to say that our military would be crippled without our military's satellite network.  

On the other hand, their is a real possibility of Kessler syndrome. The syndrome is a cascade effect that could cause a chain reaction that could destroy much of our satellites and make space exploration a lot more difficult or even impossible. A missile could cause enough space debris that it damages and destroys other satellites and that process could continue until most of our satellites are destroyed. And that situation might not be fixed for generations. 

Plus, it's not just the military that is dependent on satellites and space travel. It would cause major damage to our economy as commercial satellites would be destroyed under a Kessler syndrome scenario. Things like GPS, satellite TV, phones and even weather predictions. It would be economic and scientific disaster. 

On the other hand, I think that the Kessler syndrome is pretty much inevitable. If any of the major powers get into a war with each other they will attempt to destroy their satellites and space installations. The advantages of doing so are obvious and it is a matter of when it will happen, not if. 

Either way though, I doubt much will come of this. The Pentagon might be able to stop themselves from testing these weapons but unless they are willing to go to war with Russia (or China and India) it's not going to matter. The military advantages of anti-satellite technology is too much to give up on.