10 Most-Terrifying Space Weapons

4. The Polyus Spacecraft

The Soviets loved to experiment on any and everything that could give them an advantage over the Americans, particularly when it came to the Space Race. One such item they built was a prototype orbital weapons platform, equipped with its very own carbon-dioxide laser beam.

Not only that, but by the time it was complete, supposedly the Polyus had the capabilities of carrying nuclear space mines, defensive recoilless cannons and anti-satellite weapons. It was certainly an ambitious project, and one that defied just about every single international space treaty agreed upon.

First launched in May 1987, the Polyus failed to reach orbit, and it was subsequently discontinued as the Soviet Union began to break-up from within. As space weapons go it is probably the coolest, but also one of the most dangerous...