China tests new spy drones in near space ‘death zone’

China launches a drone into near space – at an altitude of 25km. Photo: Yang Yanchu, Academy of Optoelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

 

High-altitude unmanned vehicles tasked with military intelligence gathering can fit inside a shoebox and cost just a few hundred yuan

High-altitude spy drones could help China dominate “near space” – a region of the Earth’s atmosphere that is at the heart of a modern-day space race.

Near space, which begins at about 20km above sea level, has until now been regarded a “death zone” for drones – thin air at this altitude makes it hard to generate lift, while extremely low temperatures mean electronic components like batteries are prone to fail.

However, a new type of Chinese-developed drone that is undergoing testing appears to have overcome such difficulties, marking a significant step towards China’s ambitions of exploiting near space for purposes of military intelligence.

The U.S. Military Has Been Quietly Prepping for a “Space War” with Asia

The Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado

 

An elite squad of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has been quietly preparing for a possible war with Asia.

This war wouldn’t be fought on land, sea, or even in the air.

It would take place in space.

You see, many of America’s most vital – and vulnerable – military targets aren’t cities or bases; they’re GPS satellites. And their protection has become a priority for the USAF.

Bill Gates compares Trump to the assassinated Kennedy

President-elect Donald Trump and President John F. Kennedy, Source: Reuters, image creation Edward Szall/TRUNEWS

 

Was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates delivering an inspiring compliment or a veiled threat? 

…

• President John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy was assassinated on November 23rd 1963.
• Kennedy’s presidency is known as a turbulent time, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the establishment of the Peace Corps, developments in the Space Race, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Trade Expansion Act to lower tariffs, and the Civil Rights Movement.
• Kennedy was best known for challenging the deeply rooted military industrial complex and old guard political elite.

Report: China Believes Space War Is Inevitable, Sets Goal Of Space Supremacy

The Chinese military believes war in space is inevitable, so China is developing a space program advanced enough to disrupt U.S. military communications. That, according to a new report prepared by the U.S.-China Economic and Secretary Review Commission for Congress.

The report, compiled by the University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC), was released by the commission on Monday and reveals that China is interested in attaining space supremacy, adding that Chinese military leaders think that control of space determines control of Earth.

Russia: Preparing for the next invasion

Now the Russian leadership is again calling for Russia to be dominant in space. This is seen as a matter of national security, as a way to gain information dominance, and have the ability to fight for control of orbital space. Russian leaders have concluded that maintaining large and well equipped conventional forces is not possible (too few Russians are willing to join the military). Nuclear weapons and their delivery systems (mainly missiles) have been well cared for since the Soviet Union dissolved, and these are seen as Russia’s primary defense. To better protect the nukes, and make them more effective, having a large presence in space is considered essential. Otherwise, a foe could launch a surprise attack and destroy Russia’s missiles and render the nation unable to respond to a ground threat. Despite this attitude many military commanders would rather spend the money on elite ground forces, new warships, and upgraded aircraft. But for the moment, the Russian defense budget is backing a space based defense.

Full article: Russia: Preparing for the next invasion (Strategy Page)