Big Freakin' Laser Beams In Space

schnippy writes "Esquire is running an interesting article on the work on adaptive optics and directed energy being done at the U.S. Air Force's Starfire Optical Observatory. This facility was the subject of a New York Times article earlier this year which suspected the facility was conducting anti-satellite weapons research under the cover of astronomy."

I don't like the summary's phrasing

[TubeSteak]

"This facility was the subject of a New York Times article earlier this year which suspected the facility was conducting anti-satellite weapons research under the cover of astronomy."

In reality, a lot of astronomy stuff, by its very nature, qualifies as dual-use technology.

You can use it for star-gazing... or weaponize it without much effort. It's just the nature of the beast.