US and UK accuse Russia of testing a space weapon

The US and UK say Russia has tested a space weapon with a satellite in low Earth orbit. The weapon would be used to destroy satellites, according to the US Space Command.

The US Space Command, the agency responsible for tracking objects in orbit, is publishing the allegations. According to the agency, the Russian satellite Kosmos 2543 launched an “unknown object” on July 15. That happened near another Russian satellite, although no objects came into contact with each other.

Kosmos 2543 was launched in December 2019 by another satellite, Kosmos 2542. According to Russia, Kosmos 2543 is used to inspect other satellites. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirms the performance of this test, writes The Verge. However, satellite trackers noticed a new object at the time of the test. The US Space Command states that it is a weapon system. The object for example, moved at a relatively high speed. For example, the object would ‘at least move faster than Kosmos 2543’. This raised suspicions that it was a projectile.

The head of the British space directorate, Harvey Smyth, also says he is concerned about Russia’s satellite test, the BBC writes. According to him, the test had ‘characteristics of a weapon’. It is the first time that the UK has expressed suspicions that Russia is testing space weapons.

It is not the first time that the US has reported alleged Russian military actions in space. Earlier this year, the US Space Command stated that Russia has conducted new tests with Nudol, a ground missile system that can disable satellites. In 2019, the institution stated that the Kosmos 2542 and 2543 satellites would track a US satellite.