Wow! The Pentagon wants to strip dead satellites for parts while still in orbit!

Originally shared by Mike Elgan

Wow! The Pentagon wants to strip dead satellites for parts while still in orbit!

The US Military is researching a program whereby they would launch a big satellite full of little satellites. It would zero in on "zombie satellites" -- those no longer in use and still orbiting. Then it would remove usable parts, mostly antennas, and affix them to the little satellites, bring them to life, then use the new satellite to serve US troops on the ground with communications capability at a fraction of the normal cost. 

The program is called Phoenix. But why not just start calling it "Skynet"? 

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/06/darpa-phoenix-2/