Defense Department May Fire Laser at Satellite

The US military is considering test firing a high-power chemical laser at a satellite circling Earth. Lt. Col. Bob Potter said no decision had been made on whether the laser at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico would be fired at an Air Force satellite. The Army's Space and Defense Command had asked to test the laser with the view to destroying satellites or other space vehicles in times of war. Defense analysts have warned that any attempts by the government to initiate an antisatellite weapon could have major political fallout. The laser, dubbed Miracl (Mid-Infrared Advance Chemical Laser), produces a 6-foot-wide beam.

Defense analysts have warned that any attempts by the government to initiate an antisatellite weapon could have major political fallout.