A Force Gun That Can Destroy Satellites
A recent report by The Debrief reveals that China may have developed a mysterious space weapon that can fire projectiles at high speeds and damage or destroy satellites in orbit. The weapon, dubbed a “force gun” by some experts, is believed to be a type of railgun or coilgun that uses electromagnetic energy to launch projectiles.
The report cites a 2019 paper by Chinese researchers that describes a “space-based kinetic energy weapon” that can be mounted on a satellite and used to attack other satellites or space debris. The paper claims that the weapon can achieve speeds of up to 10 kilometers per second, which is enough to cause significant damage to any target.
The report also cites a 2020 paper by another Chinese researcher that suggests that the force gun could be used to create artificial meteor showers by firing projectiles into the atmosphere.
The paper argues that this could have both civilian and military applications, such as creating spectacular light shows or disrupting enemy communications.
The Debrief notes that there is no conclusive evidence that China has actually deployed or tested the force gun in space, but there are some indications that it may have done so.
For instance, in 2018, China launched a satellite called Shiyan-7, which was reportedly equipped with a robotic arm that could be used to manipulate or capture other satellites. However, some observers speculated that the satellite could also carry a force gun or a similar weapon.
The report also mentions that in 2019, China conducted a series of mysterious launches of small satellites that were not registered with the United Nations or publicly announced. Some of these satellites may have been part of a covert program to test the force gun or other anti-satellite weapons.
The Debrief warns that the development of the force gun poses a serious threat to the security and stability of space, as it could trigger an arms race and increase the risk of conflict. The report urges the international community to establish norms and rules for the peaceful use of space and to prevent the weaponization of space.
