space weapons
Extraterrestrial military hardware
Space weapons are military systems designed to attack targets in space, from space, or through space.
These include anti-satellite missiles, orbital weapons platforms, and ground-based systems targeting spacecraft.
The term gained currency during Cold War discussions of arms races extending beyond Earth: The treaty banned space weapons but left verification unclear.
Also called space-based weapons when specifically orbital.
Aircraft that intercepts threats
- anti-satelliteAgainst orbiting spacecraft
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
- shieldingProtecting from harm
missile defense · decoy · chaff · flares · electronic warfare · stealth technology · early warning · tracking system
Escalating weapons accumulation between nations
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- militarizationAdapting for warfare purposes
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
first strike · preemption · counterspace · mutual assured destruction · verification
Surface for liftoff
- orbital mechanicsScience of celestial motion
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
rendezvous · maneuvering · ground-based · suborbital · reentry vehicle · trajectory · apogee · perigee
- particle beamFocused subatomic projectile flow
- railgunElectromagnetic kinetic weapon
- electromagnetic pulseEnergy burst disabling electronics
- nuclear warheadFission-based explosive device
orbital strike · fragmentation · blast radius · collateral damage
Weapon firing superheated matter
- photon torpedoFictional spacecraft energy weapon
- phaserFictional beam weapon
- ion cannonWeapon firing charged particles
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
interceptor
Aircraft that intercepts threats
- anti-satelliteAgainst orbiting spacecraft
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
shielding · missile defense · decoy · chaff · flares · electronic warfare · stealth technology · early warning · tracking system · hardening
arms race
Escalating weapons accumulation between nations
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- militarizationAdapting for warfare purposes
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
escalation · first strike · preemption · counterspace · mutual assured destruction · verification
launch platform
Surface for liftoff
- orbital mechanicsScience of celestial motion
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- payloadCarried freight or charge
deployment · rendezvous · maneuvering · ground-based · suborbital · reentry vehicle · trajectory · apogee · perigee
directed energy
- particle beamFocused subatomic projectile flow
- railgunElectromagnetic kinetic weapon
- electromagnetic pulseEnergy burst disabling electronics
nuclear warhead · orbital strike · fragmentation · blast radius · collateral damage
plasma rifle
Weapon firing superheated matter
- photon torpedoFictional spacecraft energy weapon
- phaserFictional beam weapon
- ion cannonWeapon firing charged particles
- military technologymissiles, drones, radar systems, stealth technology, guided missiles
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- space policymilitarization, liability limits, international law, arms reduction, deterrence
- Cold WarBerlin Wall, Iron Curtain, arms race, Warsaw Pact, Cuban Missile Crisis
- Chinese MilitaryPeople's Liberation Army, ground force, military bases, military leaders, generals
- defense researchDARPA, defense research, military research, defense technology, naval research
space weaponscommunications satellites
Spacecraft relaying electronic signals
weather satellites · space telescopes · GPS satellites · International Space Station · space stations
space, weapon, spaces, spaced, spacing, spacer, spacious, spatial, spatially