U.S. deploys satellite jamming system

The ground-based jammer uses electromagnetic radio frequency energy to knock out transmissions on a temporary and reversible basis, without frying components, the command said.

"A reversible effect ensures that during the time of need, the adversary's space-based capability to threaten our forces is diminished," said Capt. Angie Blair, a spokeswoman. "Following the time of need, the space-based capabilities used by the adversary can return to its original state."

Why destroy enemy assets and make a mess of Earth orbit, when you can simply stun them?

The Air Force Space Command, in its e-mailed replies, said the system was built from off-the-shelf commercial equipment, and made up an antenna, transmitters and receivers that can be loaded into a trailer and moved from place to place.

Three such systems had been delivered since late last year, the command said. The program's budget for fiscal 2005 totaled $6.2 million, according to the Congressional Research Service.

This is the amazing part -- not that a ground station can zap a satellite out of commission temporarily, but that it was done so cheaply. Which is in turn a bit unsettling -- if creating such a capability doesn't require billions of dollars and a significant specialized industrial base, it ought to be much easier to undertake than a clandestine nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons program.

Posted by T.L. James on November 8, 2004 08:08 PM