by the Yanks.

Their work on this will be copied by the chinese or others, who will then build similar SBSSes to watch the Yank satellites, thinking themselves oh-so-clever.

The Yanks then roll out the SR-71 Blackbird (updated with modern tech) and don't have to worry about any pesky satellite tracking satellites. And laugh all the way to surveilance-superiority.

Alternatively, they'll replace the Optical sensors with microwave sensors and watch the signals reflecting off the non-American satellites to try and build up some decent information on control signals etc- then if war is declared just shut down the enemy satellites.

Good plan!

Note to self, world domination.

Step 1 take over Space Based Space Surveillance

Step 2 destroy all satellite using solar flare weapon

Step 3 bed 'airess.

When will there be a spysat-spying spysat-spying spysat

Next they will, of course, be needing spysat-spying spysat-spying spysats. And then spysat-spying spysat-spying spysat-spying spysats. And then ...

... in Geo-stationary orbit!

Nope, this is pretty much it. They will be able to keep an eye on everything in low earth orbit. Spin the thing around, and they can probably track everything in geosynchronous orbit as well. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me. And I even hope the Chinese get their own. The more transparency the better. Its only when one country thinks it can get away with something another country won't notice that things really get scary.

Oh man! I was so hoping for giant purple space octopus arms that would deploy and suck enemy spysats dry while 5 free tenticle-encrusted arms bitch slapped other enemy spy-sat spying spy-sats out of orbit.

This while spysat game seems to gentlemenly. Let's get it on!

Paris because her delicate slaps have more destructive power behind them than yank spysats.

Sometimes executive decisions tend to be relative.

In this case it might be daft to do but far dafter not to do?

The other guys (e.g. China) should surround this new satellite with mirrors...

"OMG there are spysats EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!"