Aalice.152
net.columbia
utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ihnss!houxf!harpo!research!alice!wolit
Thu Nov 12 01:12:50 1981
ASAT
(While not really a space program item, I thought this might be of
interest.  Maybe you'd call it an anti-space program piece.)

Vought has begun ground testing of its full-size engineering model
of the antisatellite (ASAT) system it is developing for the Air Force.
The 2-stage missile, to be launched from an Air Force/McDonnell Douglas F-15
aircraft, is over 17 feet long, 20 inches in diameter, and weighs 2600
lbs.  An Air Force short-range attack missile (SRAM) solid rocket
booster is used as the first stage.  The second stage is powered by a
slightly modified Altair 3 solid rocket motor, used in the fourth
stage of the Scout launch vehicle.  Liquid hydrazine thrusters are
used for attitude control on the upper stage, which also includes the
miniaturized ASAT vehicle itself, the munitions dispenser, inertial
reference gyros, computer, and a Dewar containing coolant.

The Air Force is also studying anti-antisatellite strategies,
including evasive maneuvering, electronic jamming, decoys, lasers,
and defensive counterfire capabilities for its spacecraft.

Star Wars, here we come, it seems!

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