The United States believes that Russia last week launched what is likely an anti-space weapon that is now in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite, Pentagon spokesperson Confirmed Tuesday. Major General Pat Ryder.
“What I’m here for is that on May 16, as you pointed out, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we believe is likely an anti-space weapon, presumably capable of attack other satellites in low Earth orbit,” Ryder said. asked by ABC News about this information made public earlier Tuesday by Robert Wood, deputy ambassador of the United States to the UN.
“Russia has deployed this new anti-space weapon in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite,” Ryder continued. “Thus, the assessments further indicate features resembling previously deployed counter-space payloads from 2019 and 2022.”
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“It’s obviously something we’ll continue to monitor,” Ryder added. “We would certainly say that we have a responsibility to be prepared to protect and defend the space domain and to provide continued, uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force. And we will continue to balance the need to protect our interests in the space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment.
When asked if the Russian anti-space weapon posed a threat to the U.S. satellite, Ryder replied: “Well, it’s an anti-space weapon in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite. “
Although there are advance air and sea notification requirements for space launches, Ryder would not say whether the United States knew in advance that the launch contained a particular type of anti-space weapon .
Pentagon: Russia likely launched anti-space weapon into low Earth orbit last week, originally published on abcnews.go.com
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