Russia accused of developing orbital weapon targeting satellite networks

Yesterday 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia accused of developing orbital weapon targeting satellite networks

Western intelligence sources indicate that Russia is progressing on a new type of anti-satellite weapon designed to compromise Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network by releasing swarms of metallic pellets in low-Earth orbit. This device, described as a “zone-effect” weapon, would create a vast field of debris capable of destroying or disabling multiple satellites simultaneously, raising global concerns about the security of orbital infrastructure and the sustainability of space activity.

A new threat in orbit

According to findings shared with the Associated Press, the planned weapon would disperse dense metal pellets across Starlink’s operational altitude, roughly 550 kilometers above Earth. The concept differs from Russia’s 2021 missile test, which destroyed a single defunct satellite and generated a significant debris field. Instead of a precise strike, this device would trigger an expanding debris cloud, a “kill zone” capable of taking out entire satellite constellations.

The pellets, each only a few millimeters wide, could be nearly impossible to track with current radar or optical sensors, making it extremely difficult to identify responsibility in case of sudden satellite failures. Intelligence assessments suggest the project is undergoing active development but have not indicated whether any tests have occurred.

Russia has not publicly commented on the reports. While President Vladimir Putin recently denied plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, Russia has repeatedly called for international restrictions on orbital weaponry through the United Nations.

Strategic stakes in Ukraine and global implications

Starlink has served as a crucial communication tool for the Ukrainian military, providing resilient connectivity for battlefield commands and civil communications amid Russian attacks on ground infrastructure. Russian officials have previously declared that commercial satellites assisting military operations could be considered legitimate targets.

Military analysts warn that such a weapon, if realized, would mark a major escalation in the use of space as a strategic battleground. Brigadier General Christopher Horner of the Canadian Space Division described the potential scenario as catastrophic, noting that an expanding field of debris could destroy not only Starlink’s satellites but any others operating in similar orbits.

A destructive tool with global risks

Experts in space security stress that this alleged weapon, if deployed, could ultimately harm Russia and its allies. Victoria Samson from the Secure World Foundation questioned its practical use, describing it as a high-risk concept that could endanger all satellite systems in low-Earth orbit, including those belonging to Russia and China.

Clayton Swope of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argued that while the physical mechanics could theoretically be achieved, the fallout would be indiscriminate. The debris could damage fragile components such as solar panels, gradually rendering multiple networks inoperable.

The cascading effect of such an event would not be confined to a single orbital band. As fragments descend, they could threaten other constellations and even inhabited spacecraft such as China’s Tiangong station or the International Space Station. Ultimately, the prospect of widespread orbital contamination may serve as the most powerful deterrent against the actual deployment of this weapon.