You have to use your own judgement to separate fact from fiction in this kind of article, but it is interesting to read. If it is true, it will really change the future battlefield forever because you can: 1) replace your own satellites lost to enemy fire quickly via road-mobile-launchers , 2) shoot down the enemy’s satellites like shooting down aircrafts.
From http://www.uscc.gov/researchreports/2004/04fisher_report/6missleandspace.htm:
It is clear that the PLA recognizes the future value of ever smaller Micro (less than 100kg) and Nano (less than 10kg) satellites, and obtained from Britain a useful boost in this emerging technology. Micro satellites are viewed as an important tool for future warfare in that they offer the advantages of greater stealth and they lower the cost of putting a variety of satellites into space. Micro and nano satellites can easily be transformed into interceptor satellites, or can be placed covertly in co-terminus orbits to act like mines. Multiple satellites can be lofted on one conventional launcher and their small size means they can be launched by smaller mobile launchers. The U.S. envisions reconnaissance and communication missions now concentrated in a few large satellites being distributed in many or scores of micro-satellites that are less than 200 lbs. Even smaller are nano-satellites that weigh 25 lbs or less, which are also envisioned for reconnaissance and communication missions.
For the PRC micro-satellites and nano-satellites have been pursued as part of the “863” program. Institutions researching microsats include the No. 5 Research Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Co., Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Aerospace Tsinghua Satellite Technology Co., and the Harbin Institute of Technology. China launched its 748 lb SJ-5 satellite in 1999, compared to the 5,000 lb DFH-3 communication satellite. But China jumped into the forefront of micro-satellite technology in October 1998, when Tsinghua University entered into a contract with Britain’s Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., perhaps the world’s leading microsat firm, to co-develop micro-satellites. In March 1999 this was extended to a 25-year joint venture that would be 75 percent owned by the PRC side, and 25 percent by Surrey. Surrey trained ten Chinese engineers and scientists for a year and installed a space mission control center at Tsinghua.[94] Within two years, on June 29, 2000, China launched its 50 kg (110 lb) Tsinghua-1 micro-satellite on a Russian launcher.
At the 2000 Zhuhai Airshow Hangtian officials said six Tsinghua-1 size communications satellites could sustain communication links between Beijing and Southern China. [B]Hangtian plans its own family of 10 kg (25 lb) nano-satellites for communication and imaging missions. Early experiments will be carried out in communication between nano-satellites. This capability is critical in order to loft “swarms” of nanosats that would perform reconnaissance, communication, or interception missions. It is likely that the PRC is again being aided by Britain’s Surrey in this regard. The PRC is part of the Surrey-led Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) which links eight nations which will each build a micro satellite with multi-spectral imaging resolution of 32 meters and a panchromatic resolution of 4 meters. On October 21, 2003, along with the PRC-Brazil CBERS-2 imaging satellite, the PRC launched the Chuangxin-1 micro-satellite. Said to weigh less than 100kg, this satellite was reported by the PRC press to be engaged in testing new communication technologies.
As already mentioned, micro and nano-satellites are ideal platforms for satellite interceptors which can be launched directly into collision orbits. This is called a “direct- ascent” type of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon. The 2003 Pentagon report on the PLA states, “China is believed to be conducting research and development on a direct-ascent ASAT system that could be fielded in the 2005-2010 timeframe.” [B]At the 2000 Zhuhai Airshow the PRC revealed its Katzoouie or “Pioneer” KT-1 solid-fuel mobile SLV. At the 2002 Zhuhai show the PRC displayed a model of the KT-1 and two larger mobile SLVs, the KT-2 and KT-2A. PRC officials at the show acknowledged that the KT-1 was derived from the DF-21 IRBM and that that the KT-2 was derived from the new DF-31 ICBM. Due to its similar but longer shape, the KT-2A can be assumed to be analogous to the new longer-range DF-31A ICBM. Such mobile SLVs when paired with micro-satellite interceptors would make the “direct-ascent” ASAT. Mobile SLVs have an advantage in this role in that they can be pre-positioned to match the expected orbits of enemy satellites. In contrast, fixed SLVs have to wait for the target to come within range[/B]
Sign In
June 22, 2004 at 5:32 pm