Washington: Russia’s test of an anti-satellite missile shows that the “threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” said USSPACECOM Commander Gen John “Jay” Raymond.
Russia conducted a direct ascent anti-satellite missile test on April 15, according to a statement from US Space Command.
“Russia’s DA-ASAT test provides yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” the General said.
“The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the nation, our allies, and US interests from hostile acts in space,” he said.
A US Space Command spokesperson said the military is not tracking any additional debris because of the event but did not provide additional details about when the test took place.
The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brian Weeden, director of program planning for the Secure World Foundation, said the test is likely of the Nudol, a ballistic-missile system capable of taking out satellites in low earth orbit. He warned not to overreact as the system has been tested several times in recent years.
According to the CSIS Aerospace Security Project’s Space Threat Assessment 2020, Russia conducted its seventh test of Nudol in December 2018.
As to why military leaders issued the statement, Weeden said it is “part of the DoD being more public about what’s going on in space, which is good. But it also seems the only thing they’re doing about it is using it to justify more US spending on our own counterspace capabilities.”
