US Space Command Confirms Evidence Of Russia Testing Anti-Satellite Weapon

The U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) recently confirmed that Russia has tested a new anti-satellite weapon in space. The agency made the statement after obtaining evidence of Russia’s suspicious activity.

In an official statement released Thursday, SPACECOM confirmed that on July 15, Russia deployed a new object into space through its Cosmos 2543 satellite. The object was tagged as Satellite Catalog Number 45915 in the satellite tracking site Space-Track.org.

The U.S. Space Command went on to reveal that after exiting Cosmos 2543, the object approached another Russian satellite. Since Cosmos 2543’s recent activity did not match its stated mission, SPACECOM regarded the maneuver as a non-destructive test of an anti-satellite weapon.

A U.S. official criticized Russia for carrying out the test since it shows the country’s intention when it comes to operating in space.

“This event highlights Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control, with which Moscow aims to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting its own counter-space program — both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry,” Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation Dr. Christopher Ford said in the same statement released via the U.S. Space Command website.

The U.S. has been closely monitoring Cosmos 2543 due to its unusual activities in space. Shortly after its launch in November last year, the spacecraft split into two satellites, which have been identified as Cosmos 2542 and Cosmos 2543.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Space Force learned that the two satellites synchronized their orbit with a U.S. government satellite. For SPACECOM and Space Force officials, the strange activity by the satellites reflect Russia’s intention in using space-based weapons against the U.S. and its allies.

“This is further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems, and consistent with the Kremlin's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk,” General John Raymond, the commander of SPACECOM and the chief of space operations for Space Force, stated.

SPACECOM did not mention the actions it plans to take against the recent activities of Russia’s satellites. However, the agency noted that it is always ready to protect the country against space-based threats.