US Space Command Warns Russia May Be Developing Nuclear Anti-Satellite Weapon in Orbit That Could Disrupt GPS, Communications & Daily Life, Threatening Global Infrastructure. 🛰️☢️
The head of U.S. Space Command is warning that Russia may be developing a nuclear anti-satellite weapon to be placed in orbit—a move that could disrupt GPS, communications, and daily life across the globe.
General Stephen Whiting said the U.S. is "very concerned" about reports that Russia is considering putting a nuclear ASAT (anti-satellite) weapon in low Earth orbit. Such a detonation could take out over 10,000 satellites, including civilian networks like Starlink.
"That would violate the Outer Space Treaty that they're a party to, and it would hold at risk everyone's satellites in low Earth orbit," Whiting said. "That would be an outcome that we just couldn't tolerate."
The general noted that most people don't realize how dependent modern life is on space-based systems. "If they carry a smartphone in their pocket, they are leveraging space multiple times a day," he said.
Whiting suggested Russia may view space-based attacks as a way to offset U.S. and NATO advantages in conventional warfare. He also pointed to ongoing Russian GPS jamming across Europe, which is already affecting civilian aviation.
"When we put at risk civilian airliners full of citizens just trying to go on business or holiday, that's incredibly problematic," he said. 🛰️☢️⚠️
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