For many people, war in space is a regular action movie plot. But in fact, the first attempts to create space weapons were made by the USSR and the USA in the middle of the last century. These developments began back in the sixties and affected the variety of weapons and combat systems for combat in space. The first prototypes of practically applicable specimens were presented in the seventies. At the current moment, the development has not stopped, moreover, China has also joined the race.
Artillery
QF Mark V at the moment is the most large-caliber artillery weapons that are used on ships. It uses primitive powder charges, but in reality this space weapon is quite effective for a number of reasons. Even well-protected ships can be damaged due to the lack of air resistance in outer space.
Due to the simplicity, reliability and low cost of these units, you can easily use serious ammunition. The equipment is designed for both attack and defense. In the twenties, shrapnel shells with remote detonators were widely used as missile defense. But since the invention of nuclear weapons, the use of this type of weapon has become less common.
Howitzer "Kasaba"
The main modern military space weapons are directed nuclear weapons. Their main principle of work is generation. When a nuclear nucleus explodes, a narrow front is accelerated to a relativistic plasma velocity. Hitting the target, such a plasma pulse is capable of causing significant damage to the object. But the charge must be directed, because a banal explosion will not bring the object special damage except thermal and radioactive effects due to the fact that there is no necessary acceleration speed. This type of space weapon was created in America in 1989.
In fact, this is a mortar launcher that allows you to launch nuclear charges at a safe distance from the firing ship. In order to accurately hit the target, maneuverable and orientation engines are used. They are located on the warhead, controlled from the carrier ship and explode only when they are in close proximity to the target of the attack. Due to the low angle of divergence and speed of 20 thousand kilometers per second, they do not give the enemy a chance to dodge the attack. Hitting the target, these shells produce a kinetic and thermal shock, significantly damaging the attacked object.
Lasers
In most science fiction books and films, the main weapon in space is laser turrets. Their principle of operation is based on the redirection of mirrors that can control energy flows. In general, lasers are optical quantum generators; this is a type of space weapon that uses the energy of stimulated radiation in order to obtain a narrowly directed flow of energy. The main principle of defeat is the thermal effect on the target. They operate at the speed of light, and therefore are potentially the most ideal weapon for waging space wars.
Using it, you can simplify the targeting algorithm, because the light travels up to 300 thousand kilometers per second. High-precision guidance makes the device indispensable for dealing with maneuvering objects.
Tests of space weapons have shown that in practice with lasers everything is not so simple. The problem is that the beam expands, and over long distances such strikes are not very effective. At the moment, the use of such weapons at long distances is meaningless, since the concentration of energy is very much reduced. In addition, there are difficulties in maintaining laser systems in outer space, since they require high energy costs and constant cooling. But it is very effective in combating buckshot, fighter jets, missiles, and other small strikes. Many spaceships are equipped with laser systems on the hull, and energy is supplied to them through a system of mirrors.
Chemical lasers
This type of weapon for space is capable of emitting energy obtained through chemical reactions. If we compare them with standard electrical samples, they are more compact, but require large financial investments. In addition, unlike the previous ones, their charge is limited by the number of reagents available. They are used on small shuttles and bots that are not equipped with energy systems.
Rockets
In the seventies of the last century, rockets were the most important weapon for conducting space wars. They were guided missiles launched by rocket engines. They are faster than artillery ammunition and equipped with radio command control. But they have significant flaws. These are weight, limited charges and vulnerability to other types of weapons.
Railguns (Gauss guns)
Speaking about space weapons, it is worth mentioning the so-called Gauss guns. This is a type of artillery that uses shells. Their speed provides an electromagnetic field that occurs in the gap between several conductors. They are much faster than conventional space artillery. Everything would be fine, but they consume a lot of energy and emit a lot of heat.
Their dimensions and the need for extra-large generators are disadvantageous for use on ships, and they are also very vulnerable to enemy weapons. Also, the disadvantage of this weapon, as tests have shown, is the speed of the projectile, because it overcomes a distance of a thousand kilometers in only a few minutes. If the enemy has the ability to maneuver, he will be able to avoid a collision. Of course, you can use buckshot or shrapnel, but this will significantly reduce the level of damage.
Retro rockets
This is a special type of rocket that is mounted on spaceships to hit a target on the planet. The projectile is released against the orbit vector. Then he reduces the speed to the first cosmic and falls into the well of gravity. They were very actively used in the 60-80 years of the last century by British, American and Soviet scientists.
Torpedoes
Another variety of space weapons of America and Russia - torpedoes. These are unmanned ships equipped with nuclear drives. This is what distinguishes them from missiles that are equipped with chemical engines. They are able to hit a target over a long distance, up to several million kilometers. Since they are not intended for the crew, they do not need depreciation, and therefore they easily develop high acceleration. Basically, their design is solid, they are armored, which protects torpedoes from shrapnel or small-caliber shells.
As a filler for torpedoes, powerful directional nuclear charges are used, which are installed in separate mines and are ready when it flies to the target.
The main problem with this weapon is that it needs sensory support. Therefore, there is a delay at large distances. The order is just late, the radio beam does not reach the device at the right time. Therefore, in this case, most often a torpedo relies only on the power of its own radars, which are easily taken away from the target using electronic warfare. This influenced the unpopularity of this type of weapon, as, in fact, the cost of the unit, as well as its mass.
U.S. space weapons
Since 2010, the American Space Doctrine has been designed to develop means, plans and scenarios for containing, defending and repelling attacks, if any, on important systems of the United States and allied countries. They are going to control near-Earth space by defensive and offensive installations. For several years, the development of the drone called the X-37B has been going on.
It was launched into orbit, but, according to the Pentagon, the device did not pass all the tests. The United States is still hiding the fact of exactly what tasks they assign to this unmanned equipment. But there is unconfirmed evidence that the main purpose of the unit is reconnaissance missions, delivery of new and dismantle of old satellite systems. X-37B - This is the latest space weapon equipped with wings of 4.5 meters and has a length of 8.8 meters. Upon returning to Earth, the device will have a mass of approximately five tons.
Missile defense of america
In addition, Americans use the national missile defense system, which consists of a complex of radar stations, satellite tracking systems, launchers, as well as stations that intercept missiles. It is worth noting that the complex is capable of destroying rockets not only in the atmosphere and in space near orbit, but also in space. According to analysts from Russia, this weapon is dangerous for the federation, especially this confirms the deployment of missile defense systems in Eastern Europe. The complex includes:
- Ground-Based Midcourse Defense - it is able to destroy ballistic missiles;
- Aiges is a ship system;
- THAAD - a mobile complex against missiles;
- MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile system;
- SBIRS - a group of satellites.
Other USA developments
At the moment, scientists are developing the most powerful space weapon. American specialists are busy creating geostationary and near-Earth systems. In addition, a Space Fence program is being implemented to track Earth. The United States has long been interested in a race to create weapons for warfare outside the atmosphere, but began to take any serious steps only after China launched a rocket in 2013.
Space weapons of Russia
The defense strategy of the Russian Federation is also interested in protecting outer space. According to official statements, the state has anti-satellite weapons and there is equipment capable of using electronic means of suppressing satellite systems. In 2015, three satellites were launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. According to America, it is likely that this equipment is aimed at the destruction of other systems in space.
This is indicated by two suspicious points. Firstly, the authorities did not notify anyone of the launch. Secondly, they move too randomly, and you may get the feeling that they are deliberately trying to collide with other objects. From a theoretical point of view, if these units are equipped with a laser or explosive substances, then they can explode as soon as they approach the military equipment of a competing state.
General information
To date, according to official figures, Russia has launched about 80 military-grade satellite systems. There is also equipment aimed at identifying competing spy satellites. Available modern equipment designed for surveillance. According to unofficial data, the A-60 aircraft is being developed, the equipment of which will be a new generation of laser weapons. Also in the plans of the state is the creation of two radar detection over the horizon, which will track the country's border territories. Thanks to these units, Russia plans to timely notice and track any objects that are equipped with nuclear weapons at a distance of up to 2 thousand kilometers from the border. According to plans, the state will deploy several ZGO radars in the Far East, in the Baltic, in Siberia. There they will install objects of type Container. But in Sevastopol, on the Kola Peninsula and in Baltiysk, it is planned to install systems like Sunflower.
Conclusion
This is what modern American and Russian space weapons look like. Development has been ongoing since the last century, and large financial resources are allocated to them. Probably, we do not know everything that is hidden in secret laboratories and hidden under the heading "secret." Well, we can only be satisfied with the information that is made public and does not violate the security of our country. But even what is now, it was impossible to even imagine in the last century.
Modern scientists embody the ideas of science fiction books in reality and constantly improve existing systems, trying to keep up with the race to create space weapons and maintain planetary power. Previously, the power over space and armaments in outer space and outer space could not be divided between the two great powers, the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Now this war continues between Russia and America. Also, a new participant appeared on the field - China.
What actually happens - protection and prevention or preparation for a full-fledged third world war, is still unclear. Perhaps the information threat is not so terrible as what lies ahead. But one thing must be understood: tests of space weapons continue, and each strong opponent tries to keep up with his opponent in terms of weapons.