Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder told the BBC that Russia has launched a mysterious space weapon, a satellite that can be used to attack other satellites.

Space Wars

According to the BBC, the Pentagon accused Russia of launching a satellite that might be used to strike other satellites in orbit, which has led to a significant increase in the militarization of space.

The most terrifying thing is that this Russian-launched satellite is in the same orbit as a satellite used by the US government.

The Pentagon spokesperson, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, stated on Tuesday that “Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter space weapon,” as the BBC reported.

“Obviously, that’s something that we’ll continue to monitor,” Ryder told ABC News. “Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force. And we’ll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment.”

Collision Course

This information follows earlier this year when US security officials raised the alarm about Russia’s intentions to launch a nuclear space weapon—basically, an anti-satellite probe—or even a mockup of one into orbit. According to security leaks to the media, it would be able to release a strong electromagnetic wave that would take down other satellites, including Russian spacecraft.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits nations from deploying “nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction” in outer space, would be violated by a weapon of that nature.

Is the enigmatic spacecraft that was launched last week the nuclear weapon that U.S. security officials have been alerting the public about? The Russians categorically refuted the Pentagon’s claims that the launch last week was a space weapon, albeit it’s difficult to say.

“I don’t think that we should respond to any information leak from Washington,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to journalists in Moscow, as quoted by ABC News. “The Russian space program is developing as planned, launches of spacecraft for various purposes, including devices that solve the problem of strengthening our defense capability, this is also not news.”

That’s a little difficult to imagine considering that during a military drill in 2021, Russia detonated a satellite with a missile, making the ISC crew fear and igniting a furious worldwide reaction.

Last year, GreatGameIndia reported that debris formed due to the use of anti-satellite weapons is threatening the future of space activities which could cause collisions.