It was certainly, in varying degrees, a test of a system on a convenient target; it was an answer to the Chinese having demonstrated their own capabilities - showing them that if they took to killing our birds, we'd kill theirs.
Nobody doubted that America could shoot down a bird only 130 miles up. That was never in dispute. To appreciate why the Chinese blew up a satellite actually in space - the world wants such weapons banned. Everyone except the US. China made a damning point. Anyone can also launch missiles to destroy satellites. A point pushed into George Jr's diplomatic face. Number of space debris increases by something approaching 2000 to a total of maybe 6000 items. China made the point obvious.
Space shuttle came real close to destruction. Space debris once struck its windshield. Fortunately that windshield did not fail. Since then, the shuttle now orbits with its windshield less exposed. Debris will instead take out the heat shield tiles (not as critical). Space debris is that dangerous as the Chinese and so many other nations have been complaining. Only George Jr does not fear space debris.
This satellite destruction does not create a debris problem. Again, the numbers? ISS flies at 350 km (still in earth’s upper atmosphere). On Feb 1, USA 193 was at 290 km and decaying fast because it was too deep in earth’s atmosphere. When struck by a Navy Standard 3 missile, USA 193 was so into earth’s atmosphere that most all debris will be gone in 40 days.
Meanwhile ISS has made six orbit changes to avoid space debri. The problem is that serious.
Major difference between this trivial satellite destruction verses what the Chinese demonstrated months ago. Debris from that damaged Chinese bird will remain for decades - a tribute to American stubbornness created only because Pres Cheney and other wacko extremists need more weapons - the 'big dic' mentality. China, Russia, and many other nations even stated the true importance of that Chinese satellite attack. Most anyone can or will be able to do it. The world needs restrictions on space weapons.
Meanwhile the Navy attack on USA193 really was not a space weapon test. USA 193 was too low - maybe 150 Km - to really be considered space.
First, that hydrazine threat was obviously a cover - more lies from the George Jr administration. Second, only the US advocates unrestricted space weapon deployments. The world is interested in an international treaty for reason similar to banning nuclear weapons tests. (Did we forget that George Jr has even proposed terminating that ban on underground nuclear testing? We need more weaspons.) Do we let 'big dic' thinking rule the world or do we think 'long term' for the advancement of mankind?