World prepares for space conflict fought using ‘kamikaze satellites’ and super powerful lasers
US military chiefs have revealed fears of a terrifying space war which could begin with a massive cyber attack
KAMIKAZE satellites and destructive lasers in a global space war is a terrifying reality military chiefs are already preparing to face, a new documentary claims.
This nightmare scenario could begin with a massive cyberattack which disables satellites and cuts off communications for millions of ordinary citizens.
Once the satellites which connect modern civilisation are brought down, it would leave modern nations like Britain or the US more vulnerable to an assault by conventional armed forces.
That's the frightening warning in the documentary 'War in Space: The Next Battlefield'.
General John Hyten, head of US Strategic Command, . “As humans go out there, there has always been conflict.
"Conflict in the Wild West as we move in the West, conflict in Europe for its horrible world wars.
"So, every time humans actually physically move into that, there’s conflict, and in that case, we’ll have to be prepared for that.”
The entire US chain of command for space warfare speaks about the impending threat in the documentary.
Created in 1982, the US Space Command has about 38,000 employees, with an annual budget of nearly $8.9 billion.
CNN says that Russia and China are America’s chief adversaries in the final frontier.
It claims Russia has already deployed what could be kamikaze satellites called 'Kosmos 2499' designed to approach US satellites and destroy them if necessary.
Hyten said the US could soon face real threats from technology recently launched by China called 'Shiyan satellites', equipped with a grappling arm, that can pluck rival satellites from the orbit.
Hyten fears these dangerous weapons could threaten US satellites just 100 miles up in Earth's orbit including near the International Space Station.
He said: “We have very good surveillance and intelligence capabilities, so we can see the threats that are being built.
“So we’re developing capabilities to defend ourselves."
CNN reports that the US is now developing advanced space weapons, including a US Navy laser weapon system and a pilotless space drone.
Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work warned in April 2015 that the US military was ill-prepared for a space war.
This prediction was proved right five months later when US space officials were caught off guard during a simulated space battle on military satellites.
Gen. William Shelton, former head of US Space Command, tells CNN: “Could we provide active defense of our own satellites?
"The answer’s 'no'."
NASA officials played down the prospect of a space war to : “NASA is dedicated to the peaceful exploration of space, which is a part of the original space act that Congress passed and President Eisenhower signed in 1958."
Super-powerful new laser weapons could be tested on supersonic US Air Force jets within the next two years, and US Army combat vehicles could be equipped with LASERS to blast enemy drones and missiles from the sky.
Russia has already taken another step towards creating a terrifying new lightning fast space weapon, reports suggest.
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