US general warns Russia may be developing nuclear anti-satellite weapon in orbit
The head of U.S. Space Command said the U.S. is "very concerned" that Russia may be developing a nuclear weapon in space to target satellites, warning such a move could...
By Fox News · Fox News
The head of U.S. Space Command said the U.S. is "very concerned" that Russia may be developing a nuclear weapon in space to target satellites, warning such a move could disrupt global communications, GPS systems and daily life on Earth. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, the commander of U.S. Space Command, made the remarks during an appearance on The General & The Journalist, a weekly podcast by The Times. "Russia remains a very historic and sophisticated space power. Yes, they have been hurt by economic sanctions, but they continue to invest in counter-space weapons, with the most concerning reports being that they are potentially thinking about placing on orbit a nuclear ASAT weapon," he added. "That would violate the Outer Space Treaty that they're a party to, and it would hold at risk everyone's satellites in low Earth orbit, and that would be an outcome that we just couldn't tolerate." Whiting noted that space is considered a global commons, with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — signed by nearly every nation, including all major space powers — prohibiting claims of sovereignty. SWEDEN JAMS SUSPECTED RUSSIAN DRONE NEAR FRENCH CARRIER AS NATO WAR FEARS RISE He said that differs from earlier eras when explorers would plant flags to claim land for a king or country. Whiting stopped short of confirming the underlying intelligence, but emphasized the seriousness of the concern. "I won’t speak about our intelligence sources and methods, but obviously it’s a report that we’re very concerned about," he said. PUTIN PUTS 'NUCLEAR TRIAD' ON FAST TRACK, ZELENSKYY CLAIMS ‘WORLD WAR 3’ UNDERWAY Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment on the matter. A nuclear detonation in low Earth orbit — which spans roughly 100 to 1,200 miles above Earth — could have devastating consequences for both military and civilian infrastructure, according to Whiting. "All of low Earth orbit would be at risk, and you know, that's over 10,000 satellites today with these new prol…