What is going on up there in a galaxy not so far away?

This is a serious attempt to explore the very real possibility that space has either already been somewhat militarized or at the very least, very close to being so (and could potentially already be in the final stages). We just don’t know…

I chose the post title for many reasons, obviously because of the implications and the nickname given to a project that was introduced by US President Ronald Reagan (SDI). I will admit that during his term – and still to this day – there are many who are skeptical that such a system could actually be developed and or deployed. After looking around the internet I’ve come to the conclusion that many still fail to grasp the concept of the potential of modern technology. But before we begin we need to dispel a modern societal misconception.

There seems to be a good deal of confusion with regards to the definition of “High-Tech”. More often than not people view the latest retail consumer gadgets as such and don’t really understand what real state-of-the-art high-technology is. Although admittedly while most civilians have access to these days things such as flash-drives and mobile phones, these devices most often contain more computing power and memory per square inch than existed in the entire planet before the mid 1970s.

So depending on ones perspective, yes, they can be viewed in that manner. However, the rule of thumb is that what we as civilians know of and or use that is available to the general public is about 30 to 40 years behind what the various secret black budget projects are working on and have already developed.

Keep that in mind.

A little back ground info

In the early days of spaceflight, payload weight and size were crucial. Launching and deploying heavy objects in orbit was expensive and cumbersome. The key catch phrase in those days was “The miniaturization of electronics”. Now think about your latest hand held device. Keeping that as a reference, now imagine a device that’s 30 to 40 years ahead of what you have available to you presently. The military hasn’t stood still all these years with regards to the miniaturization of electronics – and that includes space-based defense programs.

When any science fiction book, TV show or movie comes out, they are usually based on some sort of science, either real or theoretically possible. Hence the “Science” part of Science fiction… When Star Wars came out many envisioned a future where there could someday be large battle cruisers and fighters hurling themselves at each other with lasers firing away. So when Ronald Reagan dreamed up his SDI program it was quickly nicknamed Star Wars. Complete with space based, energy beam weapons and anti-missile missiles. One component was a little known project that will be the thrust of this post – “Brilliant Pebbles”.

But before we get into that. Let’s quickly run down some of the better known SDI-Star Wars projects.

THEL Tactical High Energy Laser

The Tactical High-Energy Laser, or THEL, is a laser developed for military use, also known as the Nautilus laser system. The mobile version is the Mobile Tactical High-Energy Laser, or MTHEL.

 

 

 

 

 

Rods from God

The concept of kinetic-energy weapons has been around ever since the RAND Corporation proposed placing rods on the tips of ICBMs in the 1950s; the satellite twist was popularized by sci-fi writer Jerry Pournelle. Though the Pentagon won’t say how far along the research is, or even confirm that any efforts are underway, the concept persists. The “U.S. Air Force Transformation Flight Plan,” published by the Air Force in November 2003, references “hypervelocity rod bundles” in its outline of future space-based weapons, and in 2002, another report from RAND, “Space Weapons, Earth Wars,” dedicated entire sections to the technology’s usefulness.

Airborne Laser (ABL)

Remember the Airborne Laser (ABL), the jumbo-jet-mounted chemical laser weapon designed to knock hostile missiles out of the air in mid-flight? The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has released a video of this futuristic system in action, tracking and engaging a test missile fired from San Nicolas Island off the California coast. While the video might come off just a bit anti-climactic, with no dramatic explosion to cap off the laser blast, it does prove one key thing: the system, at least if the video is to be believed, actually works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel that many may have missed the mark with regards to the potential of these programs. While many were and still are focused on large, expensive, heavy and exotic spaced-based weapons platforms, I look at it very pragmatically. Why attempt to develop, build and later deploy large, heavy and potentially vulnerable space based defense systems when a fleet of tiny “football sized” inexpensive drones will do?

Brilliant Pebbles

The top anti-missile program of the Reagan and the first Bush administrations was an attempt to deploy a 4,000-satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit that would fire high-velocity, watermelon-sized projectiles at long-range ballistic missiles launched from anywhere in the world. Although the program was eliminated by the Clinton Administration, the concept of Brilliant Pebbles remains among the most effective means of ballistic missile defense….Brilliant Pebbles remained on the shelf and out of the public eye until 2002, when President George W. Bush withdrew the U.S. from the 1972 ABM Treaty….In any event, the concept of Brilliant Pebbles remains among the most efficient and cost-effective means of defending the U.S. against nuclear, chemical, and biological warheads.

MKV (Multiple Kill Vehicle)

First, the MKV-L will fly to encounter the cloud of multiple warheads and decoys being deployed by the enemy missile. Then, instead of exploding, the MKV will maneuver through the threats launching several kill vehicles.

Videos

• SDI Brilliant Pebbles killer vehicle test #1 – 1989
• Japan TRDI – Kinetic Energy Interceptor Missile Program Video – 2006
• Here is a video from Northrup Grumman. It is a capability demonstration animation video for the Pentagon
• SDI Brilliant Pebbles killer vehicle test #2 – 1990

Now having viewed all of the above….

The smaller Sphere/Drone craft caught my eye and thus sent me down the path to write this post. We have heard over and over how they would be deployed by launching them during a missile attack. Why wait so long? And, perhaps most importantly, why would we only use such technology solely to eliminate missiles? Why not opposing powers satellites? This seems to be the present preoccupation of various global powers of late:

Navy says missile smashed wayward satellite

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon says a U.S. missile smashed a disabled spy satellite that was headed for Earth and the military is tracking the debris as it falls over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

US report claims China shoots down its own satellite

BEIJING – For the second time in three years, China has shot down one of its dysfunctional satellites with a missile, US-based Foreign Policy magazine reported in its latest issue.

The destruction of the satellite, which reportedly happened in January, shows China’s defensive missile ability, the magazine said.

It seems quite reasonable and much more cost effective to orbit hundreds – if not thousands of suicide spheres that would stealthily float in space waiting for a target, be it missiles or satellites. It would be cheaper, faster, safer and less controversial than detonating an orbital nuke. Most satellites are made of light weight materials which are very susceptible to physical damage.

Do we have any other collaborating evidence for autonomous spherical space crafts? Yes. These spheres have the potential to be deployed by various means. But before we delve into that possible scenario let’s first discuss the NRO – National Reconnaissance Office.

Welcome to the NRO

The NRO designs, builds and operates the nation’s reconnaissance satellites. NRO products, provided to an expanding list of customers like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Defense (DoD), can warn of potential trouble spots around the world, help plan military operations, and monitor the environment.

As part of the 16-member Intelligence Community, the NRO plays a primary role in achieving information superiority for the U.S. Government and Armed Forces.

A DoD agency, the NRO is staffed by DoD and CIA personnel. It is funded through the National Reconnaissance Program, part of the National Foreign Intelligence Program.

Our Vision: Vigilance From Above

Our Mission: Innovative Overhead Intelligence Systems for National Security

 

How would one deploy such a secret system? By launching a very public secret mission, of course!

A top secret space plane developed by the US military has blasted off from Cape Canaveral on its maiden voyage.

Billed as a small shuttle, the unmanned X-37B heralds the next generation of space exploration. It will be the first craft to carry out an autonomous re-entry in the history of the US programme.

But its mission – and its cost – remain shrouded in secrecy. The Air Force said the launch was a success but would give no further details.

However, experts have said the spacecraft was intended to speed up development of combat-support systems and weapons systems.

There have already been accusations that the programme could lead to the ‘weaponisation’ of space.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk…

 

 

 

And while this is all loose speculation on what is possibly happening up there, I have to admit that it is quite exciting.