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The United Kingdom and the United States accused Russia of launching a weapon-like projectile from a satellite into space.
In a statement, the head of the UK space directorate said: “We are concerned about the way Russia tested one of its satellites by launching a projectile with the characteristics of a weapon.”
The statement says actions like this “threaten the peaceful use of space.”
The United States has already expressed concern about this Russian satellite.
In his statement, Deputy Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, head of the UK Space Directorate, said: “Actions like this threaten the peaceful use of space and risk causing debris that could pose a threat to the satellites and space systems of which the world depends on. “
“We call on Russia to avoid further such tests. We also urge Russia to continue to work constructively with the United Kingdom and other partners to encourage responsible behavior in space.”
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It is the first time that the United Kingdom has made allegations of Russian test shots in space, says BBC defense correspondent Jonathan Beale, and comes just days after an investigation said the UK government “seriously underestimated “the threat posed by Russia.
The incident will raise concerns of a new arms race in space, he added, saying that other nations are also investigating technologies that could be used as weapons in space.
The United States said the Russian satellite system was the same one it expressed concern about in 2018 and earlier this year when the United States accused it of maneuvering near a US satellite.
In this latest incident, Gen. Jay Raymond, who heads the US Space Command, said there was evidence “that Russia conducted a non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon.”
He said Russia “injected a new object into orbit” from a satellite.
General Raymond added: “This is further evidence of Russia’s continued efforts to develop and test space systems and [is] in accordance with the military doctrine published by the Kremlin to employ weapons that keep American and allied space assets at risk. “
This Russian test of what Americans say is an anti-satellite weapon is part of a pattern of recent Russian space activity. In February, the US military said two Russian satellites maneuvered close to one American, and in April Moscow tested a ground satellite interceptor.
Only four countries, Russia, the United States, China and India, have demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities in recent decades. Anti-satellite warheads have been carried by aircraft or rockets, and the satellites have also been laser illuminated.
But Moscow is also clearly looking at using one satellite to kill another. Interest in such weapons is growing given our dependence on satellites for a variety of purposes, such as intelligence gathering, communications, navigation, and early warning.
There is no treaty to prohibit or limit such weapons, although several countries have advocated some form of agreement to do just this.
But in military terms, space has already become the new frontier with several countries organizing specific commands in their armed forces to address the defensive and offensive aspects of protecting their essential space-based systems.
