On May 16, a Russian Soyuz rocket was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, deploying nine satellites into low-Earth orbit. Among these was COSMOS 2576, a military “inspector” spacecraft that the U.S. Space Command assesses as “likely a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.” The deployment of this satellite in the same orbit as a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite, designated USA 314, has been highlighted by U.S. officials as a significant threat.
The COSMOS 2576 satellite closely resembles previous Russian counterspace payloads launched in 2019 and 2022, both of which were condemned by the U.S. for similar behaviors. In 2019, a Russian satellite ejected an object and monitored an NRO satellite.
Notably, U.S. officials had anticipated the launch of COSMOS 2576 and had informed allies of their assessment prior to its deployment.
Bart Hendrickx, a long-time analyst tracking Russia’s space program, remarked that this combination was “totally unexpected” and unprecedented in Russian launches.
Amidst these developments, Russian officials have denied accusations of deploying weapons in space. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has dismissed U.S. assertions as “fake news” and reiterated Moscow’s stance against the deployment of weapons in space. Similarly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia acted in full accordance with international law, claiming they have “repeatedly advocated a ban on the deployment of any weapons into space”.
Despite these denials, the U.S. remains vigilant. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder emphasized the need to protect and defend the space domain, highlighting continuous monitoring of the Russian satellite. He also pointed to previous instances where Russia demonstrated aggressive space behaviors, such as the 2021 direct ascent anti-satellite missile test that destroyed one of its own spacecraft and created extensive debris.
U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood recently highlighted Russia’s counterspace weapon at the United Nations, decrying Russia’s proposal to ban all weapons in space as “diplomatic gaslighting and dissembling.” The U.S. has also supported resolutions calling for the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space, although these initiatives have faced resistance and vetoes within the UN Security Council.
Relevant articles:
– US believes Russia launched space weapon in American satellite path − Reuters, pravda.com.ua, 05/22/2024
– Russia launches ‘space weapon’ in path of US satellite: Pentagon, Al Jazeera English, 05/22/2024
– Russia’s New Counterspace Weapon Is in the Same Orbit as a US Satellite, Air & Space Forces Magazine, 05/21/2024
– Pentagon Says Russia Has Launched a Mysterious Orbital Weapon, Yahoo News Canada, 05/22/2024
– Russia launched space weapon in path of American spy satellite, US says, South China Morning Post, 05/21/2024
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