How do they do that - China's new missile?

[Boac]

https://www.ft.com/content/ba0a3cde-719 ... 86e1f843fb

"China tests new space capability with hypersonic missile
Launch in August of nuclear-capable rocket that circled the globe took US intelligence by surprise

China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that circled the globe before speeding towards its target, demonstrating an advanced space capability that caught US intelligence by surprise.

Five people familiar with the test said the Chinese military launched a rocket that carried a hypersonic glide vehicle which flew through low-orbit space before cruising down towards its target. "

[Undried Plum]

Except that the story was *****.

What had been tested was a prototype re-useable spacecraft, not a terrestrial surface-to-surface missile.

[Boac]

Link?

Is there actually a huge difference?

[G-CPTN]

China denial.

[Boac]

Who was it said, "Well, they would, wouldn't they"?

[Undried Plum]

Is there actually a huge difference?

Yes.

The difference between a re-useable spacecraft and a terrestrial surface-to-surface missile is enormous. Never to be confused.

A surface-to-surface missile is intended to kill or injure people and to destroy property and the local ecosystem.

There is not yet a spacecraft, so far as I know, which has that purpose or design.

Big difference.

The propaganda story is *****.

You can see for yourself that it's ***** by the fact that in almost all of the parroted reports the propagandist also include all kinds of other ***** about China being some kind of invasive or existential threat to us.

It's a propaganda technique known as the Moorov Docrine. Include all kinds of shite in the hope that it will all add up to something more than shite in the perception of the proles.

Just go and look at all those stories about this spacecraft test that have been churned out by Integrity Initiative and the Atlantic Council and the Institute for Statecraft and the rest. They're all parroting the same line(s) at the same time. All singing from the same hymnsheet at the same time, and in harmony too.

[Boac]

We will see. Is your 'link' the Chinese denial?

[TheGreenGoblin]

I am somewhat bemused by these reports, as no reputable military/defence related sites or journals have come out in favour of this claim. It is true though that the Chinese, and the Russians, are in advance of the US in their development of hypersonic missiles at the moment. Maybe this story has been contrived internally in the US by actors wanting to highlight this perceived gap in pursuit of funding and focus!

While Sinophobia rules at the moment, and I not apt to be stampeded down that path, I am also not sanguine about Chinese intentions, and believe that they are considering military options against Taiwan. Their actions in Hong Kong have spoken volumes. Their claims in the South China sea are preposterous and are an affront to their neighbours and need to be challenged, militarily, if necessary, by the international community!

[Boac]

It is important to be clear on what a 're-usable' space vehicle is. Primarily it needs to return to the surface of the earth in a re-useable form. The only practical and common ways of doing this at present are by parachute descent or a vertical landing vehicle, the space shuttle being long gone. It does not sound as if the Chinese 'test flight' used either. If it terminated its 'flight' in a 'glide' in the atmosphere then it does not sound like a 're-useable' machine nor does it sound as if it aimed to 'land'. Hence the concerns.

The concept of an 'orbital weapon' is fairly old and provides a solution to warfare which is difficult to defend against. Time will tell whether the 'news' is real and represents a step forward in warfare. Shouting '*****' achieves nothing without credibility. There will be obvious reluctance by western powers to admit such and such 'news' may well be suppressed so as not to frighten the horses.

Regarding the 'news' from 'reputable' sites on this, ask yourself how much we know about the X-37B, a 're-usable' space vehicle which does use a runway to land. So far all we know is
""The primary objectives of the X-37B are twofold: reusable spacecraft technologies for America's future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to, and examined, on Earth"
and I'm sure it has other 'functions'.

[TheGreenGoblin]

and such 'news' may well be suppressed so as not to frighten the horses.

Sorry, I can't help myself sometimes...