'Space nukes' warning over Russia's plan to target satellites
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to put nukes in space to spread chaos across the globe, a US space chief has warned.
The head of US Space Command, General Stephen Whiting, warned that America was "very concerned" about the Kremlin's apparent plans to become a threat in space.
He revealed that Russia was considering launching a "nuclear anti-satellite weapon" into orbit that could have a catastrophic impact on the Earth.
The use of a nuclear weapon at low orbit could destroy thousands of satellites, which could plunge air travel, GPS services and communications into chaos. Putin's terrifying plot could amount to a "space Pearl Harbor".
A nuclear bomb going off between 300 and 1,200 miles above earth could ruin as much as 80% of the satellites in space. While an act like this would be a major setback for the military it could also plunge normal life into mayhem.
The space chief, speaking to The Times, said: "Russia remains a sophisticated space power and they continue to invest in counter-space weapons.
"They are thinking about placing in orbit a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that would hold at risk everyone’s satellites in low Earth orbit, and that would be an outcome that we just couldn't tolerate."
For example, many internet and mobile connections are reliant on the technology in space. The US space chief said most of Russia's work in space has been focused on military targets, for example jamming western satellites to try and impact help for Ukraine in Putin's illegal and deadly invasion. An example of this is GPS jamming.
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/space-nukes-warning-over-russias-37028784