The US Space Force conducted the first launch of a new constellation of early warning satellites designed to track Chinese or Russian spacecraft that could potentially disable or damage orbiting American systems.
The network, dubbed “Silent Barker,” is the latest step in the burgeoning extraterrestrial contest between superpowers. The satellites launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida are the first of their kind to complement US ground-based radar and low-earth orbit satellites, according to officials with the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.
“This capability enables indications and warnings of threats” against high-value US systems and will “provide capabilities to search, detect, and track objects from space for timely threat detection,” the Space Force said in a statement. The Silent Barker satellites were launched on board an Atlas V booster operated by the the United Launch Alliance, the joint operation of top defense contractors Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. The booster was powered by one of the last Russian-made RD-180 engines in the US inventory.Other Silent Baker launches are planned, with an intent to have the entire constellation operating by 2026.
One example is China’s SJ-21 satellite, which was launched in 2021 and later successfully pulled a defunct Chinese satellite several hundred miles into a higher orbit. Another Chinese satellite, the Sijian-17, is equipped with a robotic arm that “could be used for grappling other satellites,” according to a 2022 Defense Intelligence Agency report.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
New tier, new season and new opportunities for the Grandview SteelersBurnaby's junior hockey team now has an 'A' to its name. What that means for players and fans alike.
Lire la suite »
BGC Ottawa take fundraising efforts outdoors and Omega launches new lineup of Seamaster watchesThe latest Starry Night Glamping Gala was held on Aug. 31 while Kost was the backdrop for a party to launch Omega’s new lineup
Lire la suite »
Biden finds a new friend in Vietnam as American CEOs look for alternatives to Chinese factoriesNEW DELHI (AP) — President Joe Biden goes Sunday to a Vietnam that's looking to dramatically ramp up trade with the United States — a sign of how competition with China is reshaping relationships across Asia. The president has made it a point of pride that Vietnam is elevating the United States to the status of being a comprehensive strategic partner. Other countries that Vietnam has extended this designation to include China and Russia. Giving the U.S. the same status suggests that Vietnam want
Lire la suite »
Romania finds new possible fragments of Russian drone on its territory -defence ministryBUCHAREST (Reuters) - New fragments of a drone similar to those used by the Russian military were found on Romanian soil, the defence ministry said on ...
Lire la suite »
Romania finds new suspected Russian drone fragments on its territory: defence ministryPresident Klaus Iohannis said this indicated an unacceptable breach of Romania’s air space had occurred
Lire la suite »
Manitoba New Democrats promise new family medical centres if elected Oct. 3NDP Leader Wab Kinew says the plan would help address a shortage of family doctors and reduce the strain on hospital emergency departments.
Lire la suite »