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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

rshowalter - 01:23pm Aug 30, 2001 EST (#8242 of 8249)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Great reference -- a fine benchmark to consider as we think about missile threats from "rogue states" that can barely feed themselves, or run competent countries. Let me print it out -- reading it, think, from time to time -- "these are JAPANESE having these problems -- not North Koreans of Iraqis"

Japan's 1st H2-A Rocket Blasts Off by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/science/AP-Japan-Rocket.html

TOKYO (AP) -- "Japan launched its first H2-A rocket on Wednesday, putting a once-promising rocket program ``back on track'' after years of problems.

" The domestically developed rocket roared off a launchpad from a small southern island on Wednesday, carrying a monitoring device to its destination more than 1,000 miles above the earth's surface within 40 minutes, as expected.

" The National Space Development Agency launched the $71 million H2-A into clear skies three hours later than scheduled because of a malfunction in a device designed to indicate whether a pipe to the rocket's fuel tank was connected properly.

" The centerpiece of Japan's aerospace program, the rocket is designed to carry a 4-ton satellite. This time, it was only carrying a 3-ton sphere and equipment to monitor and record the rocket's flight systems.

" Much to the relief of Japanese space officials, Wednesday's launch appeared to go off without a problem once the fueling glitch was resolved.

" ``We want to let the world know that Japan's rocket program is back on track,'' NASDA director Shuichiro Yamanouchi told reporters. ``But this was just the first launch. It's important now that we move ahead with preparations for the rocket's second and third launch.''

" The H2-A's launch has been fraught with delays that have raised questions about the future of Japan's once-promising space program.

" NASDA had planned to send the H2-A into space on Saturday, but a faulty valve forced officials to postpone the lift-off. It was the second time officials moved back their launch plans -- the first coming in February due to cracked pipes and plating in the rocket.

" Japan's rocket program has suffered from a series of setbacks recently.

" The first five launches of the prototype H-2 rocket -- the H2-A's forerunner -- went off without a hitch. Japan has put a satellite in orbit around the moon and was the first nation to dock two satellites in space by remote control.

" But since 1998, the program has been dogged by mechanical failures, budget excesses and two failed launches of the H-2 -- including one two years ago in which officials deliberately exploded the rocket in mid-air to keep it from careering out of control.

" Those mishaps have cost billions of dollars and thrown the entire aerospace program into doubt. When NASDA blew up its rocket in 1999, it destroyed a $83 million satellite along with it.

" The 174-foot high, 285-ton H2-A rocket is built with 20 percent fewer parts than its H-2 predecessor, making it trimmer, cheaper and less prone to malfunction, NASDA officials say.

" Designed especially for commercial use, the H2-A costs half as much as the H-2.

" Japanese space officials say it rivals rockets built in Europe and the United States, and are working on a special rocket booster that would allow the H2-A to carry a 7.5-ton payload into orbit within two years.

" The higher-powered rocket would give the space program what it needs to compete for business with Europe's Ariane and America's Atlas.

" In addition to the economic benefits of developing a world-class rocket, Japan is eager to develop rocket technology to send up spy satellites that can collect information on military threats, such as North Korea.

rshowalter - 03:00pm Aug 30, 2001 EST (#8243 of 8249)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Two excellent pieces of news today.

U.S. Arms Talks to Proceed, Says Russian Minister by REUTERS http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-arms-russia-usa.html

The leaders of Russia are responding to the US in an entirely responsible, pro-active manner, that may make much progress possible. They recognize that old treaties, important as they are, are not the be-all and end-all. They recognize that they can work in ways that are entirely to their credit, before the whole world, even when the performance of the people they must deal with may be questioned. The situation is complex, and if that makes for difficulties, the many possibilities built into the complexity makes for opportunities, too.

What counts for Russia, or what ought to count, is the relationships, and security patterns, that can work for the future. These have to work for Russia , on her terms. I think, for technical reasons, that this ought to be possible. Russia ought not to have to feel threatened by the United States, on either a nuclear or a conventional basis.

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