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Weapons in Space

SWG_Eddie submits this story about the U.S. military beginning the militarization of space. We've done a few previous stories on this, such as this one. Putting weapons in earth orbit is not forbidden by any treaty or law.

22 of 939 comments (clear)

  1. We're doomed... by PrintError · · Score: 4, Funny

    NASA and the USAF have joined forces to place two hundred Spud guns in orbit! GotSpud

  2. I keep thinking... by gkuz · · Score: 2, Funny

    whenever I see "[whatever] in Space" of the old Muppets "Pigs in Spaaaaace!" .

  3. Re:The bad side of course... by BoomerSooner · · Score: 4, Funny

    The first thing I thought of when I read your post was: Why would China worry? GWBush couldn't find them on a map.

    This is very bad in my opinion but what has this administration done that isn't bad?

  4. Re:Space Beams by CleverNickedName · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) has a low-orbit only kill-vehicle now, but how long before it has an Electron Beam Device that can annihilate a person playing golf or taking a shower (possibly with company)?

    I'm sure there's some sort of reflective headgear you could wear to protect against this.

    --


    Unfortunately, I am not Wil Wheaton
  5. Our sources say... by Chuck+Bucket · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Mars has recently sought significant quantities of urainum, from Africa."

    blech

    CB

  6. If we didn't have weapons in space by isorox · · Score: 2, Funny

    How would we defend against the Gouald? The Asguard weren't arround last time they attacked, and the only help we got from the rebel Jaffa was Bra'tac. The Tok'ra were naturally ignoring us, if it wasnt for the F302 and X303 (And a little help from O'Neill) we'd have been deadified. The no weapons in space or Antarctica agreements work against the whole world.

  7. Is it really not forbidden? by Pan+T.+Hose · · Score: 2, Funny

    Putting weapons in earth orbit is not forbidden by any treaty or law.

    I thought it was forbidden by the Brannigan's law and the Democratic Order of Planets.

    --
    Sincerely,
    Pan Tarhei Hosé, PhD.
    "Homo sum et cogito ergo odi profanum vulgus et libido."
  8. Star Wars by DrugCheese · · Score: 2, Funny

    I suspect we've had weapons in space for some time. Reagan cut the Star Wars project budget at a time of its exponential growth ... why? Probably so that we didn't have to keep public all the vast improvements we were making in the field of lasers.

    Why go back to the moon? Because in military conflict higher ground gives you an advantage. Why build a space station when we're already got a natural space station that orbits us already?

    rant,rant,rant..

    --
    *DrugCheese rants*
  9. Wait for it... by colonelteddy · · Score: 3, Funny

    What about if i put a giant "Laser" on the moon??
    I plan to turn the moon into what I like to call a "Death Star"

    --
    c - a blessed +5 grain of salt
    1. Re:Wait for it... by JustNiz · · Score: 2, Funny

      That would cost megabucks and the moon is not safe enough for that kind of investment (read: possible to get to/attack by other nations).

      Its obvious that a REALLY paranoid country would find somewhere further out... say Mars. To know who is the most paranoid therefore, all we need to do is watch for any country suddenly announcing large Mars-exploration budget increases.

  10. Re:The bad side of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well Kerry will just capitulate to them, so let's welcome our new Maoist Overlords

  11. Re:Space Beams by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said:

    "I drank what?"

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089886/

  12. Re:I see nothing wrong with it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I agree. Sign a treaty. And in the meantime, we send up a few extra-large "weather satellites."

  13. no, no, no, but you were close.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    When Orbital Weapons Platforms Are Outlawed....

    only Outlaws will have Orbital Weapons Platforms!

  14. Re:The bad side of course... by zoeblade · · Score: 2, Funny

    As opposed to the good side?

  15. Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    There you go trying to make a joke, and those damn idiot mods ruin your day by marking it up insightful. Never underestimate the intelligence of slashdot. Mainly because you can't.

  16. But does it take the WMD's? by spectrokid · · Score: 2, Funny

    Especially those who have done the most harm to the USA in the last 50 years? What was it again? Nukes? Anthrax? Laser guided super bombs? Oh no, that's right...Stanley knives!

    --

    10 ?"Hello World" life was simple then

  17. Re:Bush in Iraq by meringuoid · · Score: 2, Funny

    The fun thing is to go down that list and tick 'em off like this (in no particular order): Bribed, bribed, bribed, invaded by US a few years back and still scared, bribed, bribed, needs to keep Americans sweet because of scary neighbour to the north, bribed, bullied, bribed, still under US occupation, bribed, bribed, Prime Minister actually believes in weapons of mass destruction even the 45-minute thing and had nothing whatsoever to do with naming of Dr Kelly and didn't lie and anyone who says otherwise is a lefty, bribed, bribed, now pulling out after unpopular pro-war Prime Minister lost election, bribed, bribed...

    --
    Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
  18. Re:Space Beams by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The way I play golf I'm perfectly capable of annihilating myself, thank you very much.

  19. Re:Space Beams by tiled_rainbows · · Score: 4, Funny

    as a country we are pushy and not always subtle

    Heh. And there was me thinking that you Americans didn't do ironic understatement.

  20. Re:Space Beams by forkazoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    As a board certified Metallic Foil Haberdasherer, I should point out that Aluminium is an excellent conductor both of heat and electricity. It might do rather well against a visible frequency beam weapon, but against IR, it might not do so well. An electron beam, likewise, might be less than great. For this reason, anyone seekend to defend against weapons grade death rays with an AluFoil hat should get an insulated Abstract type hat. The abstract design permits the creator to use a honeycomb design, and an insulating layer would help keep you safe from electrical discharge.

    Please, people, the right hat for the right job!

  21. Re:Space Beams by cgenman · · Score: 4, Funny

    How are we supposed to become a proper evil empire without an earth destroying superweapon in space?
    Just like Noah, we need to cleanse the planet of the terrorists, so that we can repopulate in our own image. Is that so wrong?