US Space Command: Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital ASAT weapons
Summary
Russia has deployed anti-satellite weapons that can approach and potentially attack important US government satellites in low-Earth orbit. US Space Command says these Russian satellites, likely part of a program called Nivelir, carry smaller vehicles that can move close to US spy satellites and test firing projectiles.Key Facts
- Russia launched several satellites called Nivelir, which follow US spy satellites in space.
- These Nivelir satellites carry smaller ships that have tested firing objects at high speed.
- US officials call these satellites a "nesting doll" system because the bigger satellite hides smaller ones inside.
- The first Nivelir mission was in 2013; by 2019 these satellites began approaching US satellites closely.
- The latest Nivelir satellite was launched in May 2023 from northern Russia.
- The timing and orbit of these launches allow Russian satellites to get close to key US spy satellites with little warning.
- US Space Command believes Russia has moved from testing to operating these anti-satellite weapons.
- US surveillance uses ground and space sensors to track these Russian objects constantly.
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