Avatar photoPhysics 101: Boost Phase Missile Defense and the Shortfall Problem

Taylor Dinerman writing with a crayon over at The Space Review says: “In the case of boost-phase weapons, the debris will fall back on the nation that launched the missile.” Fall back? What kind of non-ballistic trajectory is that missile on? It’s called Newton’s first law of motion. Look into it. Whatever debris remains will …

Avatar photoChinese SSBN launched … or not.

Bill Gertz reports that China has launched its new Type 094 SSBN. The story, however, doesn’t make much sense. Gertz claims that the “new Type 094 was spotted by U.S. intelligence agencies at the Huludao shipyard […], is in the early stages of being outfitted and is not yet equipped with new JL-2 submarine-launched nuclear …

Avatar photoMicrosatellite Propulsion Experiment (MPX)

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL/PR) Propulsion Directorate recently held an industry day “to provide specifications for a micro satellite propulsion experiment- development, integration and test, command/control, and flight operations. [sic] The micro satellite propulsion system flight demonstration will include previously unproven flight operations.” An interesting collection of industry types attended the meeting. Rumor has …

Avatar photoAnswering Paine on Ledeen

I am just responding to an insightful comment by Chris Paine at the Natural Resources Defense Council. I agree that my uses of the phrase “give up” was probably a bit off. What I should have said was “agree to not use” or “dismantle” or something like that. I didn’t say that Iran will give …