A Soyuz rocket introduces the Kosmos 2575 military satellite from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Feb. 9, 2024. (Image credit: Roscosmos)
Russia is supposedly establishing a space-based nuclear weapon developed to disable or damage satellites.
The United States Congress and America’s European allies were notified of Russia’s strategies to establish the anti-satellite ability on Wednesday (Feb. 14). It’s uncertain what the specific nature of the prepared weapon is– that is, whether it includes detonating a nuclear dynamite in area or is another anti-satellite innovation powered by a space-based atomic power plant.
According to the intelligence provided to Congress, the U.S. military “does not have the capability to counter such a weapon and safeguard its satellites,” according to a report in the New York Times. The report includes that U.S. federal government authorities do not think that such a weapon will be released whenever quickly, however that there is “a minimal window of time” to stop it from being introduced and released.
Orbital nuclear weapons are presently prohibited due to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, although there have actually been issues of late that Russia may be revoking the treaty in order to pursue more militarization of area.
Issues over the advancement of such a weapon spread like wildfire on Wednesday (Feb. 14) after House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) provided a public declaration asking President Biden to “declassify all details connecting to this danger” so the U.S. federal government and its allies can “freely talk about the actions required to react.”
(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla by means of Getty Images)
Other members of Congress have actually reacted to Turner’s demand, minimizing the intensity of the reported Russian pursuit of a nuclear area weapon. “The classified intelligence item that your house Intelligence Committee contacted us to the attention of Members last night is a considerable one, however it is not a cause for panic,” stated Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member of your house Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in a declaration.
“As to whether more can be declassified about this concern, that is a rewarding conversation however it is not a conversation to be had in public,” Himes included.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) provided a different declaration that minimizes the hazard postured by Turner’s demand. “I saw Chairman Turner’s declaration on the concern and I wish to guarantee the American individuals there’s no requirement for public alarm,” Johnson stated.
It’s uncertain why this specific intelligence was highlighted at this time, however there is some speculation that it might be connected to Russia’s Feb. 9 launch of a categorized satellite called Cosmos 2575.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches the USSF-124 objective for the U.S. Space Force on Feb. 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT). (Image credit: SpaceX through X)
On the very same day Turner’s remarks went viral, the U.S. Space Force released 6 satellites developed to find and track rocket launches.
A nuclear detonation in area might have both instant and lasting results in Earth’s orbit.