Why the US would struggle to overcome Russia’s nuclear anti-satellite weapon
A Falcon 9 rocket launching 24 satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (Photo: US Space Force)
Russia's move to develop a nuclear anti-satellite weapon has highlighted US anxieties over space combat readiness, challenging the Pentagon's strategic defences in a potential cosmic battleground.
The recent announcement that Russia has been working on a nuclear on-orbit anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon has shed light on US concerns about succeeding in contested space scenarios and raised questions about whether the Pentagon is prepared to overcome an attack from this type of capability.
Although the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for FY 2024 includes more than US$5 billion investment in space and satellite facilities, systems and technologies over the current fiscal year, defeating attacks of atomic-capable platforms in the domain would be complicated for the US Department of Defense (DoD).
Speaking to Shephard, Kari Bingen, director of
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