THE US is tracking a Russian anti-satellite missile test, according to the US Space Command. The Department of Defense’s outer space agency said Wednesday it is aware of the anti-satellite missile test that poses a “growing threat” to the country. “U.S. Space Command is aware and tracking Russia’s direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test today,” Space Command […]
THE US is tracking a Russian anti-satellite missile test, according to the US Space Command.
The Department of Defense’s outer space agency said Wednesday it is aware of the anti-satellite missile test that poses a “growing threat” to the country.
“U.S. Space Command is aware and tracking Russia’s direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test today,” Space Command said in a statement.
“Russia’s test provides yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious and growing.”
The US is prepared and committed to “defending the Nation, our allies, and US interests from hostile acts in space,” said USSPACECOM Commander John W. Raymond.
It’s unclear whether Russia’s test was against the US or its allies.
Russia likely tested their Nudol, an anti-ballistic missile system the country has studied several times since 2014, according to Dr. Brian Weeden, Director of the Secure World Foundation.
The news comes weeks after a recent report revealed that China, Iran, North Korea and Russia are each researching weapons to take out systems in space, C4ISRNET reported.
Released by Secure World Foundation on March 30, the 2019 Global Counterspace Capabilities report includes details on the space situational awareness (SSA) of other counties, or their ability to track what’s moving in different orbits.
Russia and China continue to invest heavily in its SSA programs – and although Iran lags behind, the Middle Eastern country is following suit, according to the military tech outlet.
Although it may seems as if another nuclear arms race is underway, experts say this isn’t the case.
Rather, it’s about “developing a range of offensive and defensive capabilities to go after an opponents space assets while protecting your own,” said Weeden.
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