New U.S. Tech

Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 24

I was reading in the January 2007 edition of Popular Science about a new military project involving launching marines into space, above international airspace, so that permission is not needed to land. This sounded interesting, and I thought that this technology, and flight would be a good debate topic. If you need a quote, I can find it.

I think that this is a loophole, that is trying to be taken advantage of. But can it be done? Yes, this would help in certain situations, but is it right? I'll leave it for tonight, and come back tommorow with new thoughts.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:32 am

I am not quite sure I am understanding this concept. It seems kinda deceptive to me and expensive.

Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 24

This Project is called Semper Fly, and Sustain

Popular Science wrote:

... Insertion from space, Lafontant explains, makes it possible for the Marines—typically the first military branch called on for emergency missions—to avoid all the usual complications that can delay or end key missions. No waiting for permission from an allied nation, no dangerous rendezvous in the desert, no slow helicopter flights over mountainous terrain. Instead, Marines could someday have an unmatched element of surprise, allowing them to do everything from reinforce Special Forces to rescue hostages thousands of miles away.

...Finding routes through diplomatically friendly airspace and then arranging for timely delivery of U.S. forces are key complications, especially on today’s world political stage. Sustain would solve both problems in a single stroke. According to international agreement, a nation’s airspace extends 50 miles from the Earth’s surface, just short of low orbit. A spacecraft would allow the U.S. to step over other countries and insert forces where they’re needed.

The article goes on to explain how this will be hard, and expensive. You can find the full article at http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/f2c1d65a5f59f010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html