Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media?
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- AA hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
- BA spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
- CA missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
- DA spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.
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Answer: (C) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
The Fractional Orbital Bombardment System places a weapon into a partial or fractional orbit around Earth and then deorbits it before a full orbit is completed so it can strike a terrestrial target from an unexpected direction. Therefore option C is correct; the other options describe unrelated space or planetary missions.
FOBS allows a nuclear weapon to orbit Earth like a satellite before dropping onto any target, making it nearly impossible to predict where it will strike until the final moment.
China conducted a suspected FOBS test in October 2021, making this weapons system a major defense concern and current affairs topic.
The question tests whether students can distinguish between different space-based military technologies versus civilian space missions.
Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS)
Science And Technology Fractional Orbital Bombardment System stable orbit deorbits missile
Fractional Orbital Bombardment System: Mechanics & Strategic Implications
FOBS launches missiles into low Earth orbit before targeting
Weapon orbits like a satellite, then deorbits over target
Flight path doesn't reveal target until deorbiting phase
China suspected of testing FOBS in October 2021
FOBS is a weapons delivery system that uses orbital mechanics for strategic advantage. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow predictable arcs, FOBS weapons orbit Earth like satellites before striking targets.
FOBS Operation Sequence
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Launch Phase**
Missile launched into **low Earth orbit** (150-300 km altitude)`"]
s2["`**Orbital Phase**
Weapon orbits Earth like a satellite - **target remains unknown**`"]
s3["`**Deorbit Phase**
Fires engines to **slow down and drop** out of orbit`"]
s4["`**Terminal Phase**
Falls to target - **flight path now reveals destination**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Strategic Advantages
Unpredictable targeting: Flight path doesn't reveal destination until deorbiting
Defense evasion: Can approach targets from unexpected directions
Extended range: Can strike any point on Earth after orbital insertion
Surveillance difficulty: Appears as normal satellite until weapon activation
FOBS vs Traditional Missiles
Aspect | Traditional Ballistic Missile | FOBS |
|---|---|---|
Flight Path | Predictable parabolic arc | Orbital, then deorbiting |
Target Detection | Clear from launch trajectory | Unknown until deorbit |
Altitude | Sub-orbital (up to 1200 km) | Low Earth orbit (150-300 km) |
Defense Response Time | Minutes after launch | Seconds after deorbit |
Range Limitation | Fixed by missile design | Global reach after orbit |
The 2022 UPSC question tested understanding of orbital mechanics in weapons systems. Option C correctly describes the orbit-then-deorbit sequence that defines FOBS technology.
Trap: Confusing FOBS with asteroid defense systems (Option A) - FOBS targets Earth, not space objects
Trap: Mixing up space exploration missions (Options B, D) with weapons delivery systems
Key distinction: FOBS uses fractional orbit - less than one complete revolution before deorbiting
Space-Based Weapons & Military Applications
Science And Technology
Space Militarization: Weapons Systems & Strategic Implications
Outer Space Treaty 1967 prohibits nuclear weapons in orbit
Conventional weapons in space remain in legal grey area
Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons target enemy satellites
Space Force branches established by US (2019) and other nations
Categories of Space Weapons
# Space-Based Military Systems
## Orbital Weapons
- FOBS
- Kinetic Bombardment
- Directed Energy Platforms
## Anti-Satellite (ASAT)
- Kinetic Kill Vehicles
- Electronic Jammers
- Cyber Attacks
## Defensive Systems
- Missile Defense Satellites
- Early Warning Systems
- Space SurveillanceMajor Space Powers & Capabilities
Country | ASAT Capability | Space Force Branch | Notable Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
United States | Yes (since 1980s) | Space Force (2019) | SM-3 missile intercepts |
Russia | Yes | Aerospace Forces | Nudol ASAT system |
China | Yes | Strategic Support Force | 2007 satellite destruction |
India | Yes | Defence Space Agency | Mission Shakti (2019) |
Legal & Strategic Framework
Outer Space Treaty: Prohibits nuclear weapons and military bases in space
Kessler Syndrome risk: Space debris from weapons tests threatens all satellites
Dual-use technology: Civilian space programs can have military applications
Space situational awareness: Critical for detecting threats and debris
Trap: Assuming all space weapons are banned - only nuclear weapons explicitly prohibited
Trap: Confusing ASAT weapons (target satellites) with orbital bombardment (target Earth)
India angle: Mission Shakti made India 4th country with demonstrated ASAT capability
Hypersonic Weapons & Delivery Systems
Science And Technology hypersonic missile
Hypersonic Weapons: Technology & Strategic Impact
Hypersonic: Speed greater than Mach 5 (5 times speed of sound)
Two types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
Maneuverability during flight makes interception extremely difficult
India developing HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle)
Speed Classifications in Aerospace
Classification | Speed Range | Examples | Military Application |
|---|---|---|---|
Subsonic | Below Mach 1 | Commercial aircraft | Transport, reconnaissance |
Supersonic | Mach 1-5 | Fighter jets, missiles | Air combat, missile systems |
Hypersonic | Above Mach 5 | HGVs, scramjet missiles | Strategic strike weapons |
Orbital | Mach 25+ | Spacecraft, ICBMs | Space operations, ballistic missiles |
Hypersonic Weapon Types
Type | Launch Method | Flight Profile | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) | Ballistic missile booster | Glides in atmosphere | Unpredictable flight path |
Hypersonic Cruise Missile | Air or ground launch | Powered flight | Lower altitude, harder to detect |
Technical Challenges
Thermal management: Extreme heat generation at hypersonic speeds
Materials science: Need for heat-resistant composites and ceramics
Guidance systems: Maintaining control and accuracy at high speeds
Propulsion: Scramjet engines for sustained hypersonic flight
Global Development Status
Russia: Avangard HGV (operational), Kinzhal missile
China: DF-ZF HGV, suspected FOBS-compatible systems
United States: AGM-183 ARRW, LRHW program
India: HSTDV testing, BrahMos-II development
Trap: Confusing hypersonic speed (Mach 5+) with supersonic (Mach 1-5)
Trap: Assuming all fast missiles are hypersonic - traditional ICBMs reach orbital speeds but aren't maneuverable
Key distinction: Maneuverability during flight separates hypersonic weapons from ballistic missiles