X-37's first flight test announced by USAF

[ijuin]

Would it be able to carry a nuclear payload? (Though I guess that info would be classified! )

That would be something of a political minefield if ever discovered by the public or by other nations, since the Outer Space Treaty http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty specifically prohibits placing nuclear weapons in orbit.

 

[Ark]

That would be something of a political minefield if ever discovered by the public or by other nations, since the Outer Space Treaty http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty specifically prohibits placing nuclear weapons in orbit.

Eh, the US doesn't really care about international treaties, I wouldn't be surprised if we have nuclear weapons up there somewhere, and for that matter the Soviets too. We're a warloving species, there isn't a place on this planet we haven't brought a weapon to, and figure that includes above it.

 

[ijuin]

Nukes are far more useful when you can THREATEN their use than if you just use them secretly--you can get your enemies to back down from a lot of things if you can convince them that you will nuke them if they don't. However, if they are not aware of the full extent of your ability to nuke them, then your threats will be treated as empty.

This is why, for example, when the USA wanted to build anti-ballistic missiles a few years ago, it officially withdrew from the treaty that it had signed that restricted such defenses.