Blind.

This is coolbert:

Here is something that reminds me of what the newspapers were talking about thirty years ago.

Today, it is Chinese lasers, ground-based [?], blinding U.S. reconnaissance satellites in orbit.

In 1976, it was Soviet lasers doing the same thing.

At the time [1976], it was reported that President Carter complained to the Soviets, warned them to stop, and told them that if such "blindings" occurred in the future, such actions would be considered to be "an act of war".

Very harsh and blunt talk when spoken from one government to another.

From that point on, the "blindings" ceased??!! I guess they must have, as there were no more reports that I was aware of.

[since I keenly keep an eye out for such stuff, I would have to assume that if further occurrences did happen, it would have been reported!]

It is very true that the U.S. intelligence community is heavily reliant on what are called National Technical Means [NTM]. Technology, such as imagery satellites, that allow analysts to "see" what is going on in a target nation.

The decision was made long ago that this was THE WAY TO GO for the U.S. intelligence apparatus. Rely mainly upon technology and "devices", such as satellites, to do the job. NOT to become reliant or place any emphasis on human sources [HUMINT] for intelligence.

WITHOUT THOSE SATELLITES, THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WOULD BE TRULY BLINDED!!

I would venture that the "blinding" of U.S. satellites by the Chinese is an indication NOT so much of hostile intent as a demonstration of military capacity.

We like to think of the Chinese military as still being somewhat backward. A military depending upon overwhelming masses of manpower to achieve victory.

Obviously, any nation able to master and deploy the technology giving it the ability to "blind" satellites in orbit is not so backward.

China, by demonstrating it's ability to "blind" U.S. reconnaissance satellites, it sending a message that, "we can do this if we want, watch out!!"

coolbert.