We're arguably closer than ever to war in space. Most satellites orbiting Earth belong to the U.S., China and Russia. And recent tests of anti-satellite weapons don't exactly ease the scare factor. (Video via NASA)
It sounds like science fiction, but the potential for real-life star wars is real enough. It's just not new. (Video via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens)
Fears of battles in space go back to the Cold War and several initiatives, like President Reagan's "Star Wars" missile-defense system. (Video via ABC)
Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work spoke to Congress in June about the threat. He said during a speech the technology the U.S. developed during the Cold War allows it "to project more power, more precisely, more swiftly, at less cost."
Take a moment to think about everything satellites do. GPS, surveillance and communications all depend on them.
And the Scientific American notes you can disable satellites without missiles. Simply spray-painting lenses or breaking antennas is enough.
President Obama requested $5 billion for space defense in the 2016 fiscal budget.
And a former Air Force officer told the Scientific American most of the U.S.' capabilities in space have been declassified to send a clear message: There are no rules for war in space.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
