US seeks laser weapon to shoot down enemy satellites

US seeks laser weapon to shoot down enemy satellites:
report
WASHINGTON, May 3 (AFP) May 03, 2006
The US government is conducting research into building a
ground-based laser weapon that could destroy enemy
satellites in orbit, the New York Times reported
Wednesday.
The secret project, which according to the Times was
partially made public through Air Force budget documents
submitted to Congress in February, would use beams of
concentrated light to destroy enemy satellites in orbit.

The weapon is part of a wide-ranging effort to develop
defensive and offensive space weapons, the Times said,
citing federal officials who spoke on condition of
anonymity.

The weapon would use sensors, computers and flexible
mirrors to counteract the atmospheric turbulence.

"The White House wants us to do space defense," a senior
Pentagon official who oversees several space programs,
including the laser effort, told the Times. "We need that
ability to protect our assets" in orbit.

But any potential weapon applications of the research, if
approved, "are out there years and years and years into
the future," the official said.