Most of the programs aren’t space weapons themselves; they’re more like building blocks, which could be used in orbit for many things, including weaponry. But still, it’s pretty stunning to read that money for these potential “dual-use” space projects tops a billion dollars in the Pentagon’s latest budget request. That’s a $700 million increase from last year, according to a new study from the Center for Defense Information and the Henry L. Stimson Center.
Money for satellite jammers and other “counterspace systems” jumps from $29.1 to $47.3 million. Money for the “Multiple Kill Vehicle,” which the study describes as the “preferred interceptor for a space based missile defense,” shoots up $137 million dollars, to $220 million.
And that’s just in the unclassified world. The “black” projects which could lead to space weapons add up to nearly $1.7 billion, up more than $400 million from the year before.
UPDATE 4:26 PM: Check out this Space Review story, on how start-ups are getting in on the military space game.
Billion Bucks for Space Weaponry?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I dunno, but I’d have a tendency to put that money towards things like port security and baggage x-ray machines.
You know, things we actually need and could use.
Potential start-up: orbital debris abatement
I agree with Sarge. This smells like another giant pot boiler project for outdated cold-war privateers. Why can’t we drum up this kind of cash for Mars exploration? Remember the best thing about us Americans, we’re the worlds best explorers. Or at least we used to be, seems we’ve grown to be our forefathers worst nightmare, the worlds largest standing army.
Just another sign that we have gained to much power. The gubment feels they need to control our planet from the skies. The idea of them having weapons in space creeps me out and I personally think it’s the start of a new age cold war like broheim said above.
The world isn’t as safe as everyone likes to think it is – so it’s no wonder US defence budgets are high! It’s not just about Iran’s aim to go nuclear, I believe it’s all about the petro-dollar and the possibility of the US $’s demise as the global currency for energy. Many nations around the world, including USA’s closest friends, are becoming more alarmed about the US$. Saudi-led OPEC ministers are becoming uncomfortable with the declining US$ as well. Russian president Putin is planning to move to the Euro as its preferred energy currency and hence will no longer use the US$. Most of their trade is with Europe – so it’s in their interest. Iran is planning the same. Indonisia, Brazil, Venezuela and many more possibly China! It’s not looking good. If the US$ looses it position as the global energy currency, many global federal reserves will wash out their US$ reserves in favour of the Euro and/or gold. The consequences for the US are devasting. I’m surprised that the media in the US hasn’t been too eager to report on this possibility. The worrying thing now is, unlike Iraq, I don’t think the US government has the will-power to go to war with Iran as it did in Iraq! So maybe weapons in space isn’t at all that bad after all! I hope I’m completely wrong!
Hmmm, the dollar is in decline, so we need to further militarize space? I can’t connect those dots. I’m with Sarge on this one, spend the money for things that matter and can actually improve security against known threats.
When the Jihaddist space program starts up, then we can guard the high frontier.
Right now, we’re more apt to get the payload via Fed Ex than by orgital delivery.
On of the Bush/Cheney/Abramoff crowd must be set to benefit from the space weapons angle, all I can guess.
Well the point is, and I really hope this is wrong, that the US has previously done anything to keep the US$ as the global energy currency (Petro-dollar). But I doubt very much the US govnt have the will power to go to war with Iran so soon after Iraq – especially when China and Russia will back Iran if the US attacks Iran. Iran has already threathened the US that they will sell oil using the Euro. Iran’s the second largest oil producer after Russia. Having the US$ as the global currency for energy gives massive power and control to the US and keeps the dollar’s value from devaluing too quickly. It puts the US government in control globally. Loosing this looses them power and the value of the US$ falls further and further. So if the US doesn’t have the will power to attack Iran using conventional methods (ground and air) space technology gives them the edge as an insurance policy if Iran does produce nuclear weapons.
hello