---

Russia conducts space-based anti-satellite weapons test - U.S. Space Command

The U.S. Space Command announced on Thursday, July 23, 2020, that Russia had been observed conducting a "a non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon. On July 15, Russia injected a new object into orbit from [a specifically identified Russian satellite]" in a manner "inconsistent with the system's stated mission as an inspector satellite."

The head of the U.S. Space Command indicated it was the same Russian satellite system utilized earlier in the year to maneuver close to a U.S. government satellite, and that Russia is known to have military doctrine to target U.S. space assets:

"'The Russian satellite system used to conduct this on-orbit weapons test is the same satellite system that we raised concerns about earlier this year, when Russia maneuvered near a U.S. government satellite ... further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems ...consistent with ... published [Russian] military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk.'" [see U.S. Space Command press release below]

The U.S. State Department has pointed out Russian hypocrisy at proclaiming public interest in outer space arms control while pushing out with efforts to weaponize space assets:

"'This event highlights Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control ... aim[ing] to restrict ... [U.S.] capabilities ... while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace program — both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry'" [Id.]

Additional Resources

"Russia conducts space-based anti-satellite weapons test" - U.S. Space Command

U.S. Says Russia Tested Anti-Satellite Weapon In Space - RFE/RL

"Russia has tested an anti-satellite weapon in space, US Space Command says" - Space.com

UK and U.S. say Russia fired a satellite weapon in space - BBC

Russia just tested anti-satellite space weapon, U.S. claims - Live Science

We Caught Russia Testing a Space-Based Weapon; Maybe the Space Force is a good idea after all - Popular Mechanics

Russia Tests an Anti-Satellite Weapon, U.S. Officials Say; Moscow maintains its vehicle was an ‘inspector satellite,’ but U.S. sees a Kremlin effort putting U.S. satellites at risk

U.S. accuses Russia of testing new space-based weapon; Former cold war rivals could be extending their conflict into a new theatre - Financial Times

U.S. accuses Russia of testing anti-satellite weapon in space - Deutsche Welle

U.S., Britain say Russia tested space-based anti-satellite weapon - UPI

Text of U.S. Space Command Press Release

"Russia conducts space-based anti-satellite weapons test"
By U.S. Space Command Public Affairs Office U.S. Space Command

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., July 23, 2020 —

U.S. Space Command has evidence that Russia conducted a non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon. On July 15, Russia injected a new object into orbit from Cosmos 2543, currently Satellite Catalog Number 45915 in Space-Track.org. 

Russia released this object in proximity to another Russian satellite, which is similar to on-orbit activity conducted by Russia in 2017, and inconsistent with the system's stated mission as an inspector satellite. Tracking information can be found on Space-Track.org.

"The Russian satellite system used to conduct this on-orbit weapons test is the same satellite system that we raised concerns about earlier this year, when Russia maneuvered near a U.S. government satellite," said Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, Commander of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations. "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."

The U.S. State Department raised concerns in 2018, and again this year, that Russian satellite behaviors were inconsistent with their stated mission and that these satellites displayed characteristics of a space-based weapon. According to the Department of State, this behavior is hypocritical and concerning.

"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 counterspace program — both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry," said Dr. Christopher Ford, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State currently performing the duties of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security.

Last week's test is another example that the threats to U.S. and Allied space systems are real, serious and increasing. Russia's development and testing of orbital weapons highlights the importance of establishing the U.S. Space Force as a new branch of the armed forces and the U.S. Space Command as the nation's unified combatant command for space. It is a shared interest and responsibility of all spacefaring nations to create the conditions for a safe, stable, and operationally sustainable space environment.

"The United States, in coordination with our allies, is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the Nation, our allies and vital U.S. interests from hostile acts in space," Raymond concluded.