Hypersonic Weapons Can't Hide from New Eyes in Space

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January 20, 2022

Dear Reader, This week, we're thinking about war in space. Or, rather, ways it might be avoided. Our lead story covers a new program from the U.S. Department of Defense aimed at launching satellites to spot and track hypersonic weapons—ultrafast, maneuverable missiles that can elude ground-based radar systems to strike anywhere on the globe with little or no warning. Such satellites could make tempting targets in future conflicts, which is in part why multiple space powers are racing to develop and deploy anti-satellite weapons. A Russian test of such a weapon late last year destroyed a defunct satellite and produced thousands of pieces of hazardous debris; another story this week makes the case for banning such tests to reduce the chance of a truly catastrophic debris-induced disaster in low-Earth orbit. Elsewhere, we have pieces about new exomoons, a poem about muons, new explorations of spacetime, and a unique map of the moon.

Lee Billings, Senior Editor, Space & Physics @LeeBillings

Defense Hypersonic Weapons Can't Hide from New Eyes in Space Tracking the missiles is like picking out one light bulb against a background of light bulbs, but new technology aims to see them more clearly By Jason Sherman

Astronomy It's Time for a Global Ban on Destructive Antisatellite Testing The orbital debris created in the explosions is dangerous, long-lasting and a threat to the growing space economy By Brian Weeden,Victoria Samson

Astronomy SpaceX's Starlink Satellites Leave Streaks in Asteroid-Hunting Telescope's Images Despite efforts to reduce light pollution from the satellites, their disruptions of astronomical observations are increasing at an alarming pace By Tereza Pultarova,SPACE.com

Astronomy Astronomers Have Found Another Possible 'Exomoon' beyond Our Solar System Kepler-1708 b-i appears to be a giant moon orbiting a Jupiter-sized planet thousands of light-years from Earth By Jonathan O'Callaghan

Quantum Physics Poem: 'Elective Affinities: Ghazal of the Muon' Science in meter and verse By Judith K. Liebmann

Quantum Physics What Is Spacetime Really Made Of? Spacetime may emerge from a more fundamental reality. Figuring out how could unlock the most urgent goal in physics—a quantum theory of gravity By Adam Becker

Particle Physics In a First, an 'Atomic Fountain' Has Measured the Curvature of Spacetime The atom interferometry technique uses the effects of time dilation to reveal subtle changes in gravity's strength By Rahul Rao,SPACE.com

Space Exploration Moon's Hidden Depths Uncovered with New Algorithm The permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles might contain thick ice reservoirs By Connie Chang

FROM THE STORE Scientific American Space & Physics, Volume 4, Issue 6

QUOTE OF THE DAY "Just imagine a light bulb moving across a background of light bulbs, and you have to pick out that light bulb. You have to know where it's at--and how fast it's going--to be able to shoot it down." Paul Wloszek, director of missile defense at L3Harris Space & Airborne Systems

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FROM THE ARCHIVE How Do We Prevent War in Space? There are defensive, offensive and diplomatic options for averting conflicts in orbit By Ann Finkbeiner | November 2020

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