Russia Wants To Dominate Space Arms Race And Its Weapons Test Proved It

On Nov. 15, Russia tested and demonstrated an anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) 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.

Photo Insert: The growing trend of space weaponization is the future of warfare.

The United States has identified more than 1,500 pieces, Deganit Paikowsky, a researcher and lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote for Foreign Policy.

The US, 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 ASAT capability now.

Russia may have calculated that in the context of rising great-power rivalry, especially between the US 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, Paikowsky argued.

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