US Accuses Russia of Launching Anti-Satellite Weapon: Potential Threat to Space Security

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The United States has raised concerns about a recent Russian satellite launch, which it believes could be capable of targeting other satellites. This development has intensified the ongoing tensions between Washington and Moscow regarding the militarization of space. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder announced on Tuesday that Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit, which the US assesses as a potential counter space weapon. "Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter space weapon," Gen Ryder stated. He added that this satellite, identified as Cosmos 2576, was placed in the same orbit as a US government satellite, raising alarms about its intended purpose.

 

"Russia deployed this new counter space weapon into the same orbit as a US government satellite. And so assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter space payloads, from 2019 and 2022," Gen Ryder elaborated. The Pentagon's statement underscores the need for the US to be prepared to protect its interests in space. Russia has not publicly responded to the US accusations. However, earlier on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the US of seeking to turn space into an "arena for military confrontation." This claim reflects the ongoing rhetorical battle between the two nations over the issue of space weaponization.

 

Russia's Roskosmos state space agency confirmed the satellite launch on May 17, stating it was conducted "in the interests of the defence ministry of the Russian Federation" using a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. The discrepancy in reported launch dates is attributed to the time difference between Moscow and GMT. The satellite in question, Cosmos 2576, appears to be on the same orbit as the American satellite USA 314. The proximity of these satellites has raised suspicions and concerns about potential hostile intentions. The US Space Command echoed these concerns, noting that the satellite is "presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit."

 

This development comes amidst growing fears that space could become the next frontier of warfare, given the increasing dependence on satellite technology for various aspects of modern life and military operations. In February, the White House acknowledged that Russia was developing a "troubling" new space weapon, though it had yet to be deployed. The current situation follows a pattern of escalating space-related tensions. In November 2021, Russia successfully tested an anti-satellite missile against a defunct Soviet-era satellite, demonstrating its capabilities in this domain. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighted Russia's ongoing efforts to develop a range of anti-satellite weapons.

 

The US has expressed a commitment to monitoring the situation closely and maintaining the capability to defend its assets in space. "We have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the domain, the space domain, and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force," Gen Ryder emphasized.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-05-23

 

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[nobodysfriend]

Up just 80 km and you leave earth's atmosphere and Gravity ...

Just wait for some country putting nuclear bombs there that are able to attack from space ...

People are so ingenious when it comes to means of destruction , but solve the many problems here on this planet ... No .

[CanadaSam]

Idiots don't realize that they're following a "scorched earth" (um, scorched sky in this case) policy, destroying just one satellite creates hundreds, possibly thousands of pieces of debris hurtling around the sky, making every satellite vulnerable, and resulting in difficult maneuvering for any vehicle attempting to reach outer space.

[newbee2022]

If Biden addressed Putin, the Russky will bite his nails?? 

They do what they can. And this might be only the beginning. Now the Americans have to launch something to destroy this satellite, and then the Chinese, and then the Indians, and French, and British (sorry, no money), and many more.

It's a new level of threat, similar to the Nukes.😵‍💫

[Hakuna Matata]

I believe it has nothing to do with physical destruction of US satellites.

 

Russia is probably preparing to jam the uplink radio communications channels which would render any satellite inoperative without the need to destroy it physically.

[Irish star]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

If Biden addressed Putin, the Russky will bite his nails?? 

They do what they can. And this might be only the beginning. Now the Americans have to launch something to destroy this satellite, and then the Chinese, and then the Indians, and French, and British (sorry, no money), and many more.

It's a new level of threat, similar to the Nukes.😵‍💫

Drone threat 

[newbee2022]

30 minutes ago, Irish star said:

Drone threat

Oh, do they fly so high?😳

[Purdey]

Of course, the US would never develop anti satellite weapons. 

Never.

[Danderman123]

Hey! I know something about this stuff.

 

Despite the hype, Cosmos 2576 was launched into an orbit much lower than USA 314. Even though the orbits of the 2 satellites are only separated by .8 of a degree of orbital inclination, the difference in orbital altitude means that their orbits will process at different rates. Which means they won't be in the same orbital plane after a few days.

 

Bottom line, as test of Russian capability to insert an ASAT into the same plane as the target, this makes sense. As an operational mission, no chance, unless Kosmos 2576 makes some substantial maneuvers soon.