Are kinetic-energy weapons the future of space warfare?

Sunday, October 11, 2009
"The Rods from God" Are kinetic-energy weapons the future of space warfare?

As a former Air Force Weapons mechanic I have to ask... Are the recent tests performed by NASA a weapons test? or simply a search for water on the moon?
I came across an article from The Weekly Standard written in 2005 that I found very interesting. Thank you Sheldon,my friend in Arizona that sent this to me.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/700oklkt.asp
I can't help it,I find it too coincidental that these two systems have so much in common.( two satellites)(same speed)(same effect) (large crater) E.T.C.


HOW DO THE RODS WORK? The system would likely be comprised of tandem satellites, one serving as a communications platform, the other carrying an indeterminate number of tungsten rods, each up to 20 feet in length and 1 foot in diameter. These rods, which could be dropped on a
target with as little as 15 minutes notice, would enter the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 36,000 feet per second--about as fast as a meteor. Upon impact, the rod would be capable of producing all the effects of an earth-penetrating nuclear weapon, without any of the radioactive fallout. This type of weapon relies on kinetic energy, rather than high-explosives, to generate destructive force (as do smart spears, another weapon system which would rely on tungsten rods, though not space-based).

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/700oklkt.asp
So what do you think? Was this a weapons systems test? Or are they really concerned with water on the moon?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/magazine/10section3a.t-9.html

Also interesting to me is the fact that these "RODS" are made of Tungsten (used in old fashioned light bulbs) coincidentally going by the wayside in 2010.....Hmmmmm....
Is there going to be a rush on TUNGSTEN?
Might it be that they will need it for their new weapons system?