US Space Command: Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital ASAT weapons
US Space Command leader Gen. Stephen Whiting stated that Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, with valuable US government satellites in their crosshairs. The Russian military program, likely named Nivelir, has launched four satellites shadowing US spy satellites in low-Earth orbit.
Russia is now fielding operational anti-satellite weapons targeting valuable US government satellites, according to Gen. Stephen Whiting, leader of US Space Command. The Russian military program, likely named Nivelir, has launched four satellites shadowing US spy satellites owned by the National Reconnaissance Office in low-Earth orbit. The Nivelir satellites have released smaller ships to start their own maneuvers and have tested firing projectiles at high velocity. The newest suspected Nivelir satellite was launched last May from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, precisely timed to intersect with the orbital plane of the NRO's USA 338 Keyhole-class optical spy satellite. US officials believe the Nivelir system is operational and poses a threat to critical US national security satellites. Whiting's comments suggested Russia's actions were a provocation.
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