Russia fired a satellite weapon in space

[Waspie_Dwarf]

UK and US say Russia fired a satellite weapon in space

Quote

The UK and US have accused Russia of launching a weapon-like projectile from a satellite in space.

In a statement, the head of the UK's space directorate said: "We are concerned by the manner in which Russia tested one of its satellites by launching a projectile with the characteristics of a weapon."

The statement said actions like this "threaten the peaceful use of space".

The US has previously raised concerns about this Russian satellite.

  Read More: BBC News

 

[Vorg]

This sounds like a job for the United States Space Force.

[Wistman]

How dare they do that.

Quote

Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic military purposes. Several nations possess operational ASAT systems. Although no ASAT system has yet been utilised in warfare, a few nations have shot down their own satellites to demonstrate their ASAT capabilities in a show of force. Only the United States, Russia, China, and India have demonstrated this capability successfully. The roles include: a defensive measure against an adversary's space-based nuclear weapons, a force multiplier for a nuclear first strike, a countermeasure against an adversary's anti-ballistic missile defense (ABM), an asymmetric counter to a technologically superior adversary, and a counter-value weapon.

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Russian ASATs

The successful flight test of Russia's direct ascent anti-satellite missile, known as PL-19 Nudol, took place on 18 November 2015, according to defence officials familiar with reports of the test.^[24]

In May 2016, Russia tested the Nudol for the second time. It was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome test launch facility, located 805 kilometres (500 mi) north of Moscow.^[25]

Three more launches were reportedly held in December 2016, on 26 March 2018, and on 23 December 2018—the latter two from a TEL.^[26][27]

A new type of ASAT missile was seen carried by a MiG-31 in September 2018.^[28][29]

On 15 April 2020, U.S officials said Russia conducted a direct ascent anti-satellite missile test that could take out spacecraft or satellites in low Earth orbit.

It's a long game and the Russians have just taken it up a notch by launching the weapon from a satellite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon

Edited July 23, 2020 by The Wistman

[Piney]

 

57 minutes ago, Waspie_Dwarf said:

The statement said actions like this "threaten the peaceful use of space".

Like the U.S. is doing? 

38 minutes ago, South Alabam said:

This sounds like a job for the United States Space Force Farce.

Fixed it

.......and according to M.I. sources in the Puzzle Palace it will be fully funded with car washes, paper routes and cookie sales. 

Seriously, nobody has a clue what the USAF X-37 thingy is really up to. Then there was a lot of secret shuttle missions. They could have a anti-satellite weapon up there already. 

[L.A.T.1961]

The UK has developed its own secret weapon for deterring foreign satellites, as the aggressor satellite approaches very loud bagpipe music will be played over the intercom.  

 

[+and-then]

47 minutes ago, South Alabam said:

This sounds like a job for the United States Space Force.

Sounds like we're late to the game.  We have a habit of finishing well  

[+and-then]

6 minutes ago, Piney said:

They could have a anti-satellite weapon up there already. 

I'd be really surprised if we didn't have a little something in place.  Any major war between advanced nations would basically have to begin with blinding them at first.  Someone like Musk or Branson should concentrate on a system to clean up the random debris or soon, the environment itself will be an "anti-satellite" risk.

[Vorg]

On 7/23/2020 at 2:09 PM, and then said:

I'd be really surprised if we didn't have a little something in place.  Any major war between advanced nations would basically have to begin with blinding them at first.  Someone like Musk or Branson should concentrate on a system to clean up the random debris or soon, the environment itself will be an "anti-satellite" risk.

Reagan did call for a a Strategic Defense Initiative or Star Wars back in the early 80's. There is little doubt the U.S has either been working on, or already has some kind of weapon or satellite killer in orbit, IMO.