Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media?

1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) is a missile technology concept that involves: A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and de-orbits over a target on the Earth. Scientists and engineers in the erstwhile Soviet Union developed FOBS in the 1960s. It involves launching a nuclear weapon into low-Earth orbit – around 150 km – where it will stay as it floats above the planet, before de-orbiting back down over the intended target. The primary advantage of FOBS lies in its ability to approach a target from unexpected directions. Traditional missile defence systems, which are often oriented to detect threats from known trajectories, may struggle to counteract FOBS due to its ability to manoeuvre and approach from different angles. In October 2021, China has tested a hypersonic FOBS that can travel at speeds significantly higher than those of traditional missiles, making it even harder to track and intercept.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and de-orbits over a target on the Earth; Difficulty Level: Medium