antisatellite
Targets orbiting spacecraft
Antisatellite describes weapons or systems designed to destroy, disable, or interfere with satellites in orbit: antisatellite missiles, antisatellite capabilities.
The term appears primarily in military and geopolitical contexts, where nations develop antisatellite technology to target an adversary's space-based communications, navigation, or surveillance systems.
Often abbreviated ASAT.
Blocking or wedging forcefully
- spoofingFraudulent imitation
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- blindingPainfully intense light
cyberattack · hacking · scrambling · suppression · radio-frequency · degradation · compromise
Located on Earth's surface
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- warheadMunition's explosive section
ballistic · deterrence · strategic · tactical · aegis · anti-missile · neutralization · disabling
Scattered broken fragments
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
cleanup · mitigation · moratorium · demonstration · breakup
Binding pact between nations
- militarizationAdapting for warfare purposes
- weaponizationMaking something harmful
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
Orbiting at planetary rotation speed
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
jamming
Blocking or wedging forcefully
- spoofingFraudulent imitation
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
blinding · cyberattack · hacking · scrambling · suppression · radio-frequency · degradation · compromise
ground-based
Located on Earth's surface
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- projectileLaunched airborne object
warhead · ballistic · deterrence · strategic · tactical · aegis · anti-missile · neutralization · disabling · destruction
debris
Scattered broken fragments
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- trackingMonitoring location over time
cascade · cleanup · mitigation · moratorium · demonstration · breakup
treaty
Binding pact between nations
- militarizationAdapting for warfare purposes
- weaponizationMaking something harmful
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
escalation · norms · verification · transparency · dual-use
geosynchronous
Orbiting at planetary rotation speed
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
inspection · stalking · shadowing · inclination · stationkeeping
antisatellitesurface-to-surface
Launched and landing earthbound
antiballistic · antimissile · air defense · antiship · antiaircraft
antisatellitesatellite deployment
Placing spacecraft in orbit