June 8, 2005 :: The Weekly Standard :: Analysis
Michael Goldfarb, writing in
The Weekly Standard, explains the concept of kinetic-energy space-based weapons otherwise known as “Rods from God”—a possible defense against underground, hardened missile facilities, such as those deployed by Iran. “Rods from God” would consist of two satellites: one serving as a communications platform, the other carrying an arsenal of tungsten rods, each roughly 7.0 m long and 0.3 m in diameter. The rods, when dropped from space, would enter the Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 11,000 m/s, about as fast as a meteor. This weapon would rely on kinetic energy, rather than explosives, to generate its destructive force. Upon impact, the rods would be capable of producing all the effects of an earth-penetrating nuclear weapon, without the radioactive fallout. Goldfarb admits that “Rods from God” are at least 10 years away from being operational, and face numerous technological and financial obstacles. Nevertheless, he maintains that space-based assets such as the rods will eventually become reality, and that the U.S. can either pursue such systems, or step aside and let Beijing lead the way.
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