Japan auctions off debris of Chinese anti-satellite missiles

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] On June 11, 2013, the U.S. website 'Missile Threat' published an article titled 'Chinese Spy Missile Worth $400,000,' which reported that Japan will auction off the remains of a Chinese anti-satellite missile in London. Japan believes that the meteorological satellite shot down by China in 2007 was actually used to monitor the Japanese archipelago. Since this missile is a relic of the most recent anti-satellite test, a senior antique auctioneer believes the missile remains are worth $400,000. The main content of the article is translated as follows: In the eyes of the public, secret reconnaissance activities between countries have always been mysterious, but they can be unintentionally revealed. China's intercontinental ballistic missile is one such example. A Japanese dealer sent the ballistic fragments of the Chinese missile that destroyed its own satellite to the Banbury antique dealer David Harper, with an auction estimate as high as $400,000. Although the Chinese government does not comment on the history of the missile fragments, they are indeed fragments of an intercontinental ballistic missile that China used in 2007 to shoot down a low-orbit satellite over Japan, one of the few successful attempts in China's multiple tests. The missile fragments are 130 cm long and weigh 3.69 kg, and will be auctioned in London this month. In May 2011, Japan salvaged the missile remains off the northern coast of Hokkaido. After assessment, the U.S. military considered it 'the fastest bullet in the world,' traveling at a speed of 76,000 km/h. The destroyed meteorological satellite was in low Earth orbit over Japan at the time, and the collision speed of the missile and satellite reached 100,000 km/h. Considering this history, David Harper believes the auction price could reach £250,000. 'This may be the rarest item in the world, part of the rocket China used to destroy a satellite. Although no one knows its exact value, it is worth £250,000.' After the satellite was destroyed, Japan accused China of using the satellite to monitor the Japanese archipelago. This test was also the first satellite interception experiment in 20 years, with the previous test conducted by the former Soviet Union. Therefore, the missile remains are a valuable relic of modern history. On June 27, Japan will hold a public auction at the London auction house Phillip Knapper. (Translated by: Chang Feng, Edited by: Xu Luming)