g.w.
02-28-2003, 09:07 AM
Thinking about, e.g., the “nuts and bolts” of taking out or defending a satellite...
- Due to orbital velocities, the primary danger direction appears to be along the orbital path (or flight path, for powered flight)
- A secondary direction of interest would be along axes orthogonal to the orbital path (i.e., crossing orbits, most dangerous at ascending and descending nodes)
- Zones “up” and “down” and trailing (from the satellite's point of view) offer less probability of danger, except that the trailing zone may hide an aggressor with an energetic (vice “kinetic”) weapon (similar to air-to-air combat)
-- Does this lead to a tactic? Intercept the orbit in a trailing position, then bring weapons to bear?
-- Orbital mechanics makes this difficult at best, since a trailing orbit results in matching velocity (i.e., not overtaking the target)
So from the standpoint of detecting an attacker, do we need complete coverage on all axes? What type of sensor would be useful (e.g., visual, radar) is an issue, but their sensitivity need not be equal (until such time as powered exoatmospheric flight comes to the fore).
- Due to orbital velocities, the primary danger direction appears to be along the orbital path (or flight path, for powered flight)
- A secondary direction of interest would be along axes orthogonal to the orbital path (i.e., crossing orbits, most dangerous at ascending and descending nodes)
- Zones “up” and “down” and trailing (from the satellite's point of view) offer less probability of danger, except that the trailing zone may hide an aggressor with an energetic (vice “kinetic”) weapon (similar to air-to-air combat)
-- Does this lead to a tactic? Intercept the orbit in a trailing position, then bring weapons to bear?
-- Orbital mechanics makes this difficult at best, since a trailing orbit results in matching velocity (i.e., not overtaking the target)
So from the standpoint of detecting an attacker, do we need complete coverage on all axes? What type of sensor would be useful (e.g., visual, radar) is an issue, but their sensitivity need not be equal (until such time as powered exoatmospheric flight comes to the fore).