Relic Russian ICBM To the Rescue for Science

helio writes "Japanese space agency, JAXA, has announced that the agency will use DNEPR space launch system to launch OICETS (Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite). Initially OICETS was to be launched with Japan's H-IIA rocket, however the delay in their development and a lack of time in the schedule force JAXA to utilize Russian's DNEPR system. For those who are too young to remember Cold War, DNEPR space launch system used to be Russian's inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM). As you may guess, the OICETS satellite will be launched from a silo."

Comments

Check it over reallllly good folks

[nizo]

Boy are they going to be suprised if the backup systems kick in and the ICBM slams into Washington D.C.

Seriously however, I can't think of a better use for old Russian ICBMs.

Re:Check it over reallllly good folks

[idontgno]

Lets hope that the US doesn't have an automated response system that watches for anything coming out of the silos. It doesn't make for good international relations to launch a couple thousand nukes in response to communications satellite.

Oh, good point, good point. Put that into the "Cost" column in the Cost-Benefit analysis for our Global Satellite Telecommunications Domination plan.

The ICBM contains......

[AtariAmarok]

The ICBM contains a beowulf-cluster of sharks with friggen lazer beams mounted on their heads. It be be piloted by giant alien ant overlords (which I welcome) led by Bruce Willis. There, does that cover it all?

If it *does* head for DC...

[mogrify]

... I think we can be reasonably certain that our brand-new, fully-functioning ballistic missile defense system will not intercept it...