Conducted at the schriever space force
base in colorado, the 10-day trial
simulated an aggressive near-peer
adversary that could be pitted against
the american satellite network. Simulated threats reportedly included
kinetic anti-satellite interceptor
missiles in a variety of electronic
warfare threats such as jamming.
In addition to u.s space force personnel, the recently concluded exercise involved
representatives from allied countries
such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The exercise was conducted soon after
russia conducted an anti-satellite
weapon test against a defunct soviet-era
satellite in november. The weapon system reportedly struck the
target, creating around 1,500 pieces of
space debris.
As reported on november 15th russia
tested and demonstrated an
anti-satellite weapon. As that system by destroying, one of its
inactive satellites at an altitude of
about 300 miles above the earth's
surface. At this altitude the satellite's debris
will orbit the earth for a long time.
The united states has identified more
than 1,500 pieces. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea have made
harsh allegations against russia. Accusing moscow of being irresponsible
and endangering active satellites, including the international space
station and its astronauts and the
chinese space station which is under
construction.
Additionally they criticized russia for
destabilizing the world order. This
raises the question of why russia chose
to test and demonstrate an azac
capability now. Russia may have
calculated that in the context of rising
great power rivalry. Especially between
the united states and china. The growing
trend of space weaponization is the
future of warfare.
At the same time this trend of
weaponization opens the door to
stringent space regulations that will
limit the development and use of these
capabilities. Displaying technological capability
before new international regulations are
created can be valuable for both
national security and political reasons.
By destroying its satellite in space
russia achieved two objectives, it
enhanced its defense and deterrence
capabilities and also projected its
power before testing, demonstrating and
using azat capabilities could be
prohibited or significantly restricted
by international mechanisms. Additionally russia has ensured that it
will be a significant party in any major
international regulatory process by
publicly possessing such a capability.
However, u.s and allies view on the issue
also makes sense. The u.s slammed russia for conducting
the missile strike exercise calling it
dangerous and irresponsible, as it left a
debris cloud that forced the
international space station to take
evasive action. The US department of defense released a
report in may that said both russia and
china view counter space capabilities as
a means to reduce the effectiveness of
the us military and its allies.
To bolster its space capabilities the
u.s air force research laboratory said
it is committing up to one billion
dollars to develop technology and
equipment to support a wide variety of
space missions. The service also announced that all
satellite communications billets, funding
and mission responsibility of the us
army and navy would be transferred to
the space force to consolidate and
increase its operational capabilities.
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