Recap

War in Space

Co-authors of Space Wars, Mike Coumatos and Bill Scott discussed how our satellites are vulnerable to attacks. The US is reliant on satellite technology for social, political, financial and entertainment communications and would be thrown back decades if these systems were inoperative, they noted. It would be "like pouring molasses over society-- everything would slow down," said Scott.

Because satellite damage can be caused by solar radiation and flares, we might not even realize initially that an attack had taken place, or that we were in the midst of a space-based war. Culprits such as homegrown terrorists, drug cartels, or rogue nations could all potentially be emboldened to stage such an assault, Scott noted.

Attacks on satellites or their ground stations could be mounted in a variety of ways. For instance, a satellite could be launched and then blown up, creating a dangerous debris field. The two authors are pushing for increased space security and awareness. Coumatos has been involved in war gaming, looking at various scenarios, so that defensive plans can be developed. One such option posits the use of nano-satellites, which could work in concert to create the capabilities of a larger non-functioning satellite.

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