Chinese missile test prompts concerns

[XboxWarrior]

snip-

Some Western countries and Japan are protesting China's test of an anti-satellite missile, but Beijing is denying any knowledge of the incident.

The U.S., Britain, Australia, Japan and South Korea are concerned about the test, which apparently took place Jan. 11.

snip-

The countries that protested are worried that using a ballistic missile to destroy an old weather satellite more than 800 kilometres above the Earth could fuel the space arms race.

There are also concerns that the debris created could damage other satellites.

Ok, so I havn't seen this here, and I heard it on the radio this morning.

I know Hillary is the 'Story de Jour', however if China can blast satelites from their collective easy chair, the world power shifts to the east. Me thinks Bejing is taking great advantage of our 'defense' programs being stretched to their limits, and moving into the real future.......Space Wars.

What say you?

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/01/19/china-satellite.html

[theoldman]

1. I think that the Chinese test was a real wakeup call to the US.

It showed us that their technology in some cases has surpassed ours. If we don't get off our ass, we will definitely be number two in the future.

[malaise]

2. The rest of the planet is just glad that someone, anyone

is willing to compete with Bush. Two superpowers give us all some balance.

[XboxWarrior]

3. thanks

Wow, some replies!

I wasn't sure if this was 'old' news.....I didn't see it on the TV, but they are discussing it on CCTV 9 (chineese news in english)

I thought it was kind of an important story......silly me.

The Chineese can, and have shot a satellite out of space (from the terra firma).....no biggie, Hillary HAS announced!

peace

[malaise]

4. LOL

I'm all for peace but when two big powers are forced to understand the consequences we're safer.

[azurnoir]

5. The US has been awake for sometime

the real reason that we're going after Iran is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yadavaran_Field

This is also why BFFE is trying to control Iraq's oil, the Chinese are willing to pay above market value for oil.

[XboxWarrior]

6. Wow......

I can presume by the fact that this post dropped like a rock.....

either;

a) it's old news

b) who cares if China can drop satellites like Cheney can hit a man's face

c) DU is a fun loving place.......where real news doesn't really matter.

peace

[IDemo]

7. It did get some attention yesterday on another post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3160244&mesg_id=3160244

[azurnoir]

8. The missile launch was news

to me, and some slightly tinfoil ly associates of mine are speculating that they(the Chinese) are trying to draw the US out on the fact that we have (supposedly) orbiting missile platforms. However many people even here seem sucked in by the Iran nukes propaganda and don't seem to realize the China-Iran-oil end of the deal.