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US Space Command: Russia tested anti-satellite missile

US Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. Raymond
US Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. Raymond during a press briefing with the Pentagon, March 2020. Photo: US Air Force

Russia has carried out a test of it direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile, the US Space Command announced on April 15.

Russia’s missile system is capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and comes on the heels of Russia’s on-orbit testing the US highlighted in February, namely COSMOS 2542 and COSMOS 2543.

At the beginning of the year, Russia sent two satellites to tail a US spy satellite, with the COSMOS 2542 and COSMOS 2543 coming as close as 100 miles within the US satellite.

“These satellites, which behaved similar to previous Russian satellites that exhibited characteristics of a space weapon, conducted maneuvers near a US Government satellite that would be interpreted as irresponsible and potentially threatening in any other domain,” USSPACECOM said.

“Russia’s DA-ASAT test provides yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” said Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, USSPACECOM commander and US Space Force Chief of Space Operations.

“This test is further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counterspace weapons programs,” Raymond added. “Space is critical to all nations and our way of life. The demands on space systems continue in this time of crisis where global logistics, transportation and communication are key to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.”