In a historic first, Israel's air force has successfully intercepted and neutralized a ballistic missile outside of the Earth's atmosphere, marking the world's first-ever military fight in space.
The missile was allegedly fired from Yemen and flew almost 1,600 kilometers before being shot down by the Arrow system.
TOPSHOT - Rockets fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza City are intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defence missile system in the early hours of October 8, 2023. Fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas raged on October 8, with hundreds killed on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn they were "embarking on a long and difficult war". (Photo by EYAD BABA / AFP)
Israel Shot Down Missile in Space
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) claims that it shot down a surface-to-surface missile allegedly fired from Yemen on 30 October using its Arrow system.
The missile flew almost 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) before the missile-defense system shot it down. Details of the incident are few, but the Telegraph reports that it occurred above the official boundary of space, known as the Kármán Line, 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the Earth.
If true, this would likely be the first-ever military fight in space. Yemen's Houthi militia claimed responsibility for the missile launch.
Israel's Arrow 2 Interceptor
According to Israeli Aerospace Industries, the Arrow 2 interceptor can intercept and destroy incoming tactical ballistic missiles and is "designed to operate in the atmosphere, and out [in] space".
However, this is the first time such capabilities appear to have been tested. The Arrow system, according to Haaretz, has only been used twice in operations in 25 years and has come under criticism for its enormous cost.
"The successful interception is about much more than protecting the residents of Eilat and dealing a blow to the Houthis' boastfulness," an Israeli defense official told Haaretz, going on to claim that Iran had backed the attack. "
Primarily, it proves to Iran, which was behind the launch and supplied the missile, that Israel has the ability to act against its missile program, and this has much broader implications for the regional conflict."
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Flaring Geopolitical Tensions
Gizmodo tells us that this event is noteworthy from a technological standpoint, but it carries potentially significant legal and geopolitical ramifications.
Tomas Hrozensky, a senior research fellow at the European Space Policy Institute, explained in an email to Gizmodo that the current information available is insufficient to confirm this situation.
He also pointed out that mid-range ballistic missiles can reach altitudes well above 62 miles, and the "Arrow system is considered an effective counter-space capability due to its ability to intercept high-altitude targets."
This successful interception is a testament to Israel's technological prowess and its ability to protect its citizens from external threats. It also highlights the growing importance of space as a new frontier for military operations.
The incident has significant legal and geopolitical implications, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the regional conflict between Israel and Iran.
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