Contrast this operation with what happened a year ago January, when Beijing surprised the world by shooting down one of its weather satellites in a test of its antisatellite capabilities. Not only was the test unannounced, but it took China days to concede that it had happened. Because the satellite was destroyed at an altitude of approximately 850 kilometers, it left countless hazardous particles drifting in orbit that could harm future space flights. . . .The decision to shoot down the satellite went all the way up to President Bush. China's decision-making process is such that it's unclear whether President Hu Jintao even knew about the antisatellite test before it took place or whether it was planned and executed only by the military. The contrast between the two episodes is that China's made the world more uncertain and dangerous, while the U.S. success will make it safer.