Part 4/11:
The launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 dramatically altered the capabilities of nations as they harnessed the potential of satellites for both civilian and military applications. With thousands of satellites now orbiting Earth, they play an essential role in communication, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance, fundamentally reshaping our understanding of global dynamics.
The practical implications of satellite warfare began to unfold as nations developed defensive strategies to protect their assets while also seeking to disrupt or destroy adversarial satellites. The Soviet Union's secretive Almas space station, for instance, included an experimental cannon designed to send hostile fire toward enemy targets, highlighting this burgeoning interest in space-based weaponry.