Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles The 1,300 active satellites above the Earth provide a wide array of services, some of which are vital for emergency response and for the military. An attack on a country's satellites could be catastrophic and many worry that space may become a new theater of war. Large powers have developed various capabilities for destroying satellites. Now, companies are building advanced service spacecraft that could become weapons. The purpose of these service craft is to repair and move existing satellites. But all it takes is a change of intent for these spacecraft to become war craft. The Chinese space weapon test, which destroyed one of its own defunct satellites in 2007 created a great deal of debris that put other satellites in danger. If debris from one act of destruction goes on to destroy further satellites, a chain reaction could ensue, rendering some orbits unusable. This is known as the Kessler Syndrome. Because America's Armed Forces gained more capability from satellites than any other country, America has the most to lose from war in space. It is planning to increase its capabilities in the area. President Trump wants a new Space Force. The world will hope for peace in the cosmos, but history suggests that such ideals are not easily maintained. Coming up next Thursday, why are humans going to Mars?
B1 UK space war spacecraft debris craft service Space: the next frontier for war? | The Economist 18153 629 Vivian Chen posted on 2019/04/30 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary