Pentagon says Russia launched space weapon in path of U.S. satellite
- May 23, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Pentagon says Russia launched space weapon in path of U.S. satellite
Sub: Science and tech
Sec: Defence
Context:
- The Pentagon accused Russia of launching a likely space weapon and deploying it in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite.
Details of the ‘Counter space weapon’:
- This ‘counter-space weapon’ is presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.
- Russia’s response: We act absolutely in accordance with international law, do not violate anything, and have repeatedly advocated banning any weapons in space.
- Both countries have proposed rival non-proliferation motions at the UN.
- Russia vetoed the US initiative last month, and the US, Britain, and France blocked Russia’s proposal on 20 May.
Anti-satellite weapon (ASAT):
- Anti-satellites (ASATs) are weapons designed to destroy or disable satellites in orbit. They can be ground-based, air-based, or space-based. ASATs can use various methods to attack satellites, including kinetic impact, lasers, and directed energy weapons.
- Anti-satellite (ASAT) technology refers to the capability to intercept, disable, or destroy satellites in orbit. This technology is primarily developed for defence and strategic purposes.
- Types of Anti-Satellite Weapons
- Kinetic energy methods: This involves launching a missile that intercepts and physically collides with the target satellite to destroy it.
- The kinetic energy ASATs physically collide with satellites and can reach altitudes. These ASATs can be ballistic missiles, drones, and other satellites.
- Non-kinetic methods: They use non-physical attacks such as cyber-attacks, jamming, and even lasers to blind satellites without physically destroying them.
- All of these attacks can be launched from the air, low orbit, or even ground installations.
- Kinetic energy methods: This involves launching a missile that intercepts and physically collides with the target satellite to destroy it.
Countries with ASAT Technology:
- ASATs were first developed during the Cold War era. They have never been used in warfare, but have been used to remove decommissioned satellites.
Country | ASAT Missile/Weapon |
India | Mission Shakti |
USA | Bold Orion air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) |
Russia (Former Soviet Union) | Nudol Missile |
China | SC-19 ASAT missile |
Outer Space Treaty, 1967:
- The treaty provides the basic framework for international space law.
- The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.
- Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States.
- Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
- States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.
- The Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.
- States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental activities.
- States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects.
- States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
Source: TH