The new missile interceptors are under test.

   The new missile interceptors are under test. 

Satellites are a key element for military operations. That's why those spaceborne systems are high-priority targets. Those spaceborne navigation and communication satellites are also very vulnerable. If an enemy uses some kind of anti-satellite weapons against them. The idea of antisatellite missiles and weapons is not new. In the 1950s, the U.S. and Soviet military developed nuclear missiles that could destroy satellites and incoming nuclear missiles. The fact is, the same systems that can destroy incoming missiles can destroy other satellites. 

In 1963, the nuclear test "Dominick Starfish Prime" showed that the nuclear warheads were ineffective against ballistic missiles. If a nuclear warhead detonates too close to its own cities, the electromagnetic pulse destroys electronics in its own bases and cities. That meant that there was a need to create more advanced weapons that didn't cause an EMP pulse. 

One of the early attempts to make effective ASAT and ABM systems was the "GATV" or Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle. In that test, two Gemini spacecraft connected to the Agena stage. And then those spacecraft were put to rotate around that stage. The idea was to create artificial gravity. But another purpose was (probably) to create a giant propeller that could destroy incoming satellites and missiles. 

The need to create the new ASAT weapons was due to the EMP weapon threat. An EMP weapon can be a satellite that involves a nuclear bomb. If that nuclear bomb is launched over the enemy territory, it destroys all electrical equipment. Another very frightening system is the Fractional Orbital Bombardment system, FOBS. 

The FOBS is the nuclear warhead that is parked in orbit. When the order comes, the FOBS dives against its target. The miniature shuttles can carry FOBS or EMP weapons. The idea is that those systems can dive through the atmosphere against their target. Or they can suddenly detonate above the target area. The thing is that the miniature shuttle can return to base if its warhead was not used. 

One variant of the FOBS system is the large nuclear power laser that can get energy from a nuclear detonation. The nuclear warhead can be around the laser element. A large mirror can collect that radiation for the laser element. In the last case, the laser can also get energy from the sunlight. And the nuclear warhead is required only if the system needs power that allows a laser beam to reach the ground. 

"A graphic the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) put out earlier this year illustrating the threats to the United States homeland that Golden Dome is expected to help shield against. DIA" (Twz.com, Space-Based Missile Interceptors For Golden Dome Being Tested By Northrop)

"A graphic showing, in a very rudimentary way, the typical trajectories, from launch to impact, for traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic boost-glide vehicles, quasi or aeroballistic missiles, and air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles. GAO" (Twz.com, Space-Based Missile Interceptors For Golden Dome Being Tested By Northrop)

"A Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) graphic depicting various types of space-based anti-satellite capabilities. DIA" (Twz.com, Space-Based Missile Interceptors For Golden Dome Being Tested By Northrop)

Above: AGTV, Agena-Gemini Target Vehicle (Agena Target Vehicle, ATV)

X-37B

Dream Chaser

Mig-105 "Spiral"

Large-sized reconnaissance satellites with large mirror telescopes are tools that can guarantee the satellite's survivability. Those kinds of satellites can keep a longer distance from the Earth. That gives them safe against low-orbiter ASAT systems. The missile aimed at those satellites must fly for a longer time. And that gives more time to react to that threat. The satellite can have counter-weapons. Like space claymores that shoot iron balls against the incoming missile. Those systems are suitable against other satellites. So, the weapon race went to Space. 

There is a possibility of creating systems that can destroy those long-distance satellites using large-sized missile interceptors. Those interceptor missiles' top stage can be transformed into the YAG laser. The acetylene lamp can give energy to high-power lasers. And the rocket engine can use those gases as fuel. The top stage can fly against the targeted satellite and launch the laser system. 

In the 1980s, the Reagan government introduced an idea about the spaceborne antiballistic missile system, ABM, whose mission was to destroy Soviet missiles when they were attacking the USA. The program name was the Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI. In that time, technology was not advanced enough for this system to work. 

The main problem was that spaceborne missile defense systems could be vulnerable against Soviet anti-satellite weapons like kinetic energy interceptors and ground-based EMP and laser systems. The simplest possibility was that the missile launched a large number of iron nails at the orbiter to orbit in the opposite direction to the ABM platform. And those iron nails would damage or destroy the system. 

The modern version would include high-orbit observation platforms and the systems that shoot targets using kinetic energy railguns. Or the system can include the space shotgun. The iron balls that shot against other satellites or missiles. Those systems can look like the space version of the Claymore mines. The system sees the target and then the explosives send metal balls against it. The other versions are electromagnetic railguns that break the shell of targeted satellites and missiles. The problem is always debris that can close the trajectory from other satellites. 

The answer can be the EMP or other directed energy weapons. They can destroy other satellites. And especially EMP systems can keep those satellites intact. That thing denies the form of the debris. The EMP satellite can use normal solar panels to load its capacitors. Then the system targets the radio or microwave antenna to give an impulse. That can destroy the targeted satellite electronics. 

The other versions are things like long manipulators or miniature satellites whose mission is to impact targeted satellites. Or those AI-controlled systems can also push the targeted satellites away from their trajectory. There have been ideas that the satellites can also be put in a mylar bag, and then the killer satellite can put the targeted satellite in that bag and drop it into the atmosphere. 

https://news.satnews.com/2023/06/18/guardiansat-secures-patent-for-satellite-based-automated-countermeasure-system/

https://www.twz.com/space/space-based-missile-interceptors-for-golden-dome-being-tested-by-northrop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-135_ASAT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Chaser

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-105

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish_Prime