Russia Successfully Test Launches Anti-Satellite Missile

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Russia has apparently conducted a successful test launch of its Nudol direct ascent anti-satellite missile. This is the second test of the new weapon, which is capable of destroying satellites in space. The weapon was apparently launched from the Plesetsk test launch facility north of Moscow.

If the report is correct, that means the Russians have developed a means to attack the space-based navigation, communications and intelligence gathering tools that are the sinews of U.S. military operations. The missile was monitored by U.S. intelligence satellites and the test appeared to be successful.

Attacking America’s space-based assets would be an effective means to disrupt U.S. military operations, as Russia knows full well, and is not the only one. Beijing has previously tested such weapons—most notably in 2007 when it destroyed a satellite in orbit. Many space experts warn that the debris from such tests pose an extreme hazard, not just to military satellites but all space activity. Even small fragments can severely damage a spacecraft given the extreme velocities involved.

Nodul is not the only means Russia has to attack in space. Moscow has boasted that its developmental S-500 will also be able to engage incoming ballistic missiles in space.

The S-500 is expected to be able to engage targets at altitudes of about 200 km, meaning that S-500 will be able to engage targets such as incoming ballistic missiles in space at ranges as great as 650 km. The S-500 is expected to able to detect and simultaneously attack up to ten ballistic missile warheads.

The first regiment of S-500 will be deployed to protect Moscow and central Russia.