While the Missile Defense Agency struggles with new technology for a space-based laser, the Air Force already has a potential weapon in space.In April, the Air Force launched the XSS-11, an experimental microsatellite with the technical ability to disrupt other nations' military reconnaissance and communications satellites.
Another Air Force space program, nicknamed Rods From God, aims to hurl cylinders of tungsten, titanium or uranium from the edge of space to destroy targets on the ground, striking at speeds of about 7,200 miles an hour with the force of a small nuclear weapon.
A third program would bounce laser beams off mirrors hung from space satellites or huge high-altitude blimps, redirecting the lethal rays down to targets around the world. A fourth seeks to turn radio waves into weapons whose powers could range "from tap on the shoulder to toast," in the words of an Air Force plan.
Planning is not a bad idea. As strange as some of the Air Force's ideas sound, thinking outside the box doesn't cost much and sometimes proves invaluable. Actually deploying the weapons could create some strategic tensions. In terms of budget, however, we should really be questioning whether this is a priority over other things like recruiting and retaining soldiers, maintaining our readiness or providing our troops on the ground with the weapons and equipment necessary.
UPDATE: Defensetech has a good rebuttal to the NYT story.
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