U.S. House Command prepared for potential Russian satellite tv for pc assault, basic says

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Command is making ready for the opportunity of Russia focusing on American satellites in orbit, in line with the command’s high basic. 

Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. House Command, commented on current studies indicating that Russia has deployed “co-planar” spacecraft positioned to watch U.S. satellites.

Talking June 24 on the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Research, Whiting mentioned Russia’s launch of its Cosmos 2576 satellite tv for pc in low Earth orbit on Could 16 — which the Pentagon assessed to be a counter-space weapon — was “placed on orbit in an operational capability.”

“And while you take a look at the place they put the satellite tv for pc, in what we name co-planar to a nationwide safety satellite tv for pc, that doesn’t appear to be unintentional,” mentioned Whiting.

Co-planar deployment refers back to the positioning of satellites on the identical geometric airplane in area. When Russia deploys “co-planar” spacecraft, it means they’re putting their satellite tv for pc in an orbit that’s aligned with the orbit of a U.S. satellite tv for pc. This alignment permits the Russian spacecraft to watch, monitor, and doubtlessly intervene with a U.S. satellite tv for pc as a result of they’re transferring alongside the identical path or airplane in area. 

Whiting famous that this deployment got here as no shock. “We’ve been monitoring objects on orbit for many years,” he mentioned. “We will take a look at these orbital parameters and we are able to evaluate that launch to launches that the Russians did in 2017, 2019 and 2022 that appear like this class of counter-space weapon that they’ve examined beforehand, and that now seems that they’ve placed on orbit in an operational capability.”

U.S. House Command is taking these actions significantly and actively rehearsing a response to potential assaults on U.S. area belongings, Whiting mentioned.

An assault on satellites might have far-reaching penalties, doubtlessly disrupting essential providers corresponding to GPS navigation, climate forecasting, and navy communications. The Division of Protection has lately emphasised the significance of area belongings for nationwide safety.

The overall’s feedback come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Russia within the area area. Intelligence studies have warned about Russia allegedly engaged on a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that’s in growth however has not been deployed. Whiting didn’t touch upon these studies. Different U.S. officers have warned {that a} nuclear explosive system, if detonated, might produce a large wave of radiation and a strong electromagnetic pulse able to destroying, blinding, or disabling satellites over a large space.

Readiness ‘our primary precedence’

“Our primary precedence at U.S. House Command is to arrange and posture to maximise fight readiness by 2027,” Whiting mentioned. “So we’re executing exams and operations and workouts with our service elements to enhance our techniques, methods and procedures.”

Whiting emphasised that House Command is working carefully with allies to develop methods to mitigate the results of any potential assault. “We’re strengthening our partnerships via initiatives like Operation Olympic Defender, which permits us to share intelligence and plan joint defensive measures,” he mentioned.

Operation Olympic Defender is a U.S.-led multinational initiative geared toward strengthening protection and deterring hostile actions in area. Present members embody Australia, Canada and the UK. Whiting mentioned France, Germany and New Zealand have been invited to hitch. “We hope to have a constructive response from them within the subsequent few months.”

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