CriticalSecurity & Privacy
US Space Command: Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital ASAT weapons
Russia has operationalized anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons called Nivelir that can threaten critical US national security satellites in low-Earth orbit, representing a strategic shift from testing to operational deployment of space-based weapons. This development signals Russia's strategy to exploit asymmetric advantages in space as a counterbalance to US conventional military superiority, with potential expansion to nuclear-armed ASATs. For IT organizations supporting national security and critical infrastructure, this represents a fundamental vulnerability in space-dependent systems that require immediate defensive posturing and resilience planning.
Ars Technica2 min read
After several tests of unusual "nesting doll" satellites in low-Earth orbit, Russia is now fielding operational anti-satellite weapons with valuable US government satellites in their crosshairs, the four-star general leading US Space Command said this week. Gen. Stephen Whiting didn't name the system, but he was almost certainly referring to a Russian military program named Nivelir, which has launched four satellites shadowing US spy satellites owned by the National Reconnaissance Office in low-Earth orbit. After reaching orbit, the Nivelir satellites have released smaller ships to start their own maneuvers, and at least one of those lobbed a mystery object at high velocity during a test in 2020. US analysts concluded this was a projectile that could be fired at another satellite. US officials have compared the Nivelir architecture to a Matryoshka doll, or a Russian nesting doll, with an outer shell concealing smaller, unknown figures inside.Read full article Comments