War In Space May Be More Than Just Science Fiction

As satellites of all shapes and sizes continue to crowd the sky, space is becoming prime real estate, especially if you’re a superpower that relies on satellites for national security and modern warfare. Scientific American reports that while testifying before Congress, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper voiced concerns over anti-satellite programs that China and Russia were both “developing capabilities to deny access in a conflict,” such as the conflicts brewing in Ukraine, or China’s military activities in the South China Sea.

As the U.S. military plans for contingencies should war erupt in space, it has to think beyond simply destroying enemy satellites, due to the danger debris poses to all satellites, military or otherwise.