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US and China Setting Up "Space Hotline" (ft.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the who-you-gonna-call? dept.

Taco Cowboy writes: Washington and Beijing have established an emergency 'space hotline' to reduce the risk of accidental conflict. Several international initiatives are already in train to seal a space treaty to avoid a further build-up of weapons beyond the atmosphere. However, security experts say the initiatives have little chance of success. A joint Russia-China proposal wending its way through the UN was not acceptable to the US. An EU proposal, for a "code of conduct" in space, was having diplomatic "difficulties" but was closer to Washington's position.

15 comments

  1. And tapped by ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The GERMANS!? Russians? Nah, too stupid the two of them!

  2. Is this... by Vintowin · · Score: 1

    The new "Red" line?

  3. Why don't we create a Federation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    No, seriously: it's a way to avoid conflict escalation (in many senses).

    Create a supra-national entity, the Federation, to oversee space with members of all nations, transparency etc. That will be assurance enough that governments won't be attacked from above.

    Thus, less expenses, more safety and all the "defense" attention can be directed towards near threats.

    May the UN could be the start...

    (Obviously the idea is not subjecting governments to this _SPACE_ Federation)

    This comment is a repost.

    1. Re: Why don't we create a Federation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I guess that was too much sarcasm for Slashdot?

  4. I know when that space hotline bling by JonathanF · · Score: 1

    That can only mean one thing... China wrecked one of our satellites.

  5. Let me go! by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    The Earth is a prison. I want outta here!

  6. If the USA cant militarise it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and use it as a corporate welfare program then they dont want any rules at all.

  7. Encryption. by Etherwalk · · Score: 1

    The GERMANS!? Russians? Nah, too stupid the two of them!

    It is possible that the IT guys of the two most powerful and technologically advanced countries in the world thought to encrypt it. It's (hopefully) not a high-volume phone line and could be an ideal use case for one-time pads, which are unbreakable.

  8. Translation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Translated it probably means that Putin (again) did not want to bend if no guarantees were provided as to use of lubrication and condoms while he was in bent position - bad Putin. He will have to go in the corner and stay there for a while again.

  9. I prefer a cleaner sky. by flajann · · Score: 1

    If only I were the Star Child.

    --
    Ruby Neural Evolution of Augmenting Topologies
  10. Parse error: "in train" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Several international initiatives are already in train to seal a space treaty

    I'm 33, I read, I write, I'm well versed in English, so WTF is "in train"?

    1. Re:Parse error: "in train" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      set in motion , in progress.

    2. Re:Parse error: "in train" by boarder8925 · · Score: 1
      I'd never heard this before either, so I looked it up. From The Free Dictionary:

      if you set in train an activity or an event, you make it begin

      So the first AC reply to your comment is correct.

      --
      Keep your eyes to the sky.
  11. "Hi" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "I'm a naughty Chinese nuke. Do you have a big missile for me?" $9.95B per minute.