New push for Space Weapons

The New York Times reported that within the next several weeks a presidential directive is expected, at the request of the Air Force, to approve space based offensive and defensive weapons. This is a change in policy from a more passive role for the use of space for spy satellites and support for military operations. This deployment would have an enormous cost, estimated up to a trillion dollars. It would also inevitably trigger an arms race in space. Neither China nor Russia will ignore having weapons in orbit 24/7 over their territory. Capt. David C. Hardesty of the Naval War College faculty calls for "a thorough military analysis" of these plans, followed by "a larger public debate." I would have to agree that a much larger public debate is in order here. Superiority in space may very well be in our national interest, how we achieve that superiority is an important debate and the public should start taking an interest.