Weapons in Space

SWG_Eddie submits this story about the U.S. military beginning the militarization of space. We've done a few previous stories on this, such as this one. Putting weapons in earth orbit is not forbidden by any treaty or law.

Re:Space Beams

[1SmartOne]

I for one welcome our new space weapon overlords.

Re:I see nothing wrong with it

[Dr Reducto]

You are correct sir. It is the wolf you don't see that you must fear.

We're doomed...

[PrintError]

NASA and the USAF have joined forces to place two hundred Spud guns in orbit! GotSpud [gotspud.com]

I keep thinking...

[gkuz]

whenever I see "[whatever] in Space" of the old Muppets "Pigs in Spaaaaace!" .

Re:The bad side of course...

[BoomerSooner]

The first thing I thought of when I read your post was: Why would China worry? GWBush couldn't find them on a map.

This is very bad in my opinion but what has this administration done that isn't bad?

Re:Space Beams

[CleverNickedName]

Sure the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) has a low-orbit only kill-vehicle now, but how long before it has an Electron Beam Device that can annihilate a person playing golf or taking a shower (possibly with company)?

I'm sure there's some sort of reflective headgear you could wear to protect against this.

The States

[dolo666]

... is going to end up like Nazi Germany and The Roman Empire, if they keep going against the UN. This weaponizing of space is clearly in violation of this UN treaty; and Slashdot missed this? I for one recommend Mr Rumsfeld step down from his administrative duties at Slashdot! And this could be the start of the next cold war. *sigh*

Our sources say...

[Chuck Bucket]

"Mars has recently sought significant quantities of urainum, from Africa."

blech

CB

If we didn't have weapons in space

[isorox]

How would we defend against the Gouald? The Asguard weren't arround last time they attacked, and the only help we got from the rebel Jaffa was Bra'tac. The Tok'ra were naturally ignoring us, if it wasnt for the F302 and X303 (And a little help from O'Neill) we'd have been deadified. The no weapons in space or Antarctica agreements work against the whole world.

Is it really not forbidden?

[Pan T. Hose]

Putting weapons in earth orbit is not forbidden by any treaty or law.

I thought it was forbidden by the Brannigan's law and the Democratic Order of Planets.

Star Wars

[DrugCheese]

I suspect we've had weapons in space for some time. Reagan cut the Star Wars project budget at a time of its exponential growth ... why? Probably so that we didn't have to keep public all the vast improvements we were making in the field of lasers.

Why go back to the moon? Because in military conflict higher ground gives you an advantage. Why build a space station when we're already got a natural space station that orbits us already?

rant,rant,rant..

Re:Space Beams

[WindBourne]

Have you not watched "Real Genius"?

so? if there are

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

Pigs in Spaaaaace!

You mean, there gonna send all the politicians and lawyers into space?

BTW, IAAL

Wait for it...

[colonelteddy]

What about if i put a giant "Laser" on the moon??
I plan to turn the moon into what I like to call a "Death Star"

Oblig. quote from Dr. Evil

[Anonymous Coward]

"Fire the laser!"

Re:Soviet Weapons

[Anonymous Coward]

Link please

Re:The bad side of course...

[Anonymous Coward]

Well Kerry will just capitulate to them, so let's welcome our new Maoist Overlords

Re:Space Beams

[Anonymous Coward]

I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said:

"I drank what?"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089886/

Re:I see nothing wrong with it

[Anonymous Coward]

I agree. Sign a treaty. And in the meantime, we send up a few extra-large "weather satellites."

no, no, no, but you were close....

[Anonymous Coward]

When Orbital Weapons Platforms Are Outlawed....

only Outlaws will have Orbital Weapons Platforms!

Re:Wait for it...

[JustNiz]

That would cost megabucks and the moon is not safe enough for that kind of investment (read: possible to get to/attack by other nations).

Its obvious that a REALLY paranoid country would find somewhere further out... say Mars. To know who is the most paranoid therefore, all we need to do is watch for any country suddenly announcing large Mars-exploration budget increases.

Re:The bad side of course...

[zoeblade]

As opposed to the good side?

Wow

[Anonymous Coward]

There you go trying to make a joke, and those damn idiot mods ruin your day by marking it up insightful. Never underestimate the intelligence of slashdot. Mainly because you can't.

But does it take the WMD's?

[spectrokid]

Especially those who have done the most harm to the USA in the last 50 years? What was it again? Nukes? Anthrax? Laser guided super bombs? Oh no, that's right...Stanley knives!

Re:Bush in Iraq

[meringuoid]

The fun thing is to go down that list and tick 'em off like this (in no particular order): Bribed, bribed, bribed, invaded by US a few years back and still scared, bribed, bribed, needs to keep Americans sweet because of scary neighbour to the north, bribed, bullied, bribed, still under US occupation, bribed, bribed, Prime Minister actually believes in weapons of mass destruction even the 45-minute thing and had nothing whatsoever to do with naming of Dr Kelly and didn't lie and anyone who says otherwise is a lefty, bribed, bribed, now pulling out after unpopular pro-war Prime Minister lost election, bribed, bribed...

Re:Space Beams

[Anonymous Coward]

The way I play golf I'm perfectly capable of annihilating myself, thank you very much.

Re:Space Beams

[tiled_rainbows]

as a country we are pushy and not always subtle

Heh. And there was me thinking that you Americans didn't do ironic understatement.

Re:Absolutely

[Anonymous Coward]

In the midst of a flamewar about Iraq, you think that using an abortion analogy will help bring sense to the argument?

Re:Space Beams

[forkazoo]

As a board certified Metallic Foil Haberdasherer, I should point out that Aluminium is an excellent conductor both of heat and electricity. It might do rather well against a visible frequency beam weapon, but against IR, it might not do so well. An electron beam, likewise, might be less than great. For this reason, anyone seekend to defend against weapons grade death rays with an AluFoil hat should get an insulated Abstract type hat. The abstract design permits the creator to use a honeycomb design, and an insulating layer would help keep you safe from electrical discharge.

Please, people, the right hat for the right job!

Re:Space Beams

[cgenman]

How are we supposed to become a proper evil empire without an earth destroying superweapon in space?
Just like Noah, we need to cleanse the planet of the terrorists, so that we can repopulate in our own image. Is that so wrong?