Russia Adds More Rassvet Satellites as Kremlin Builds Its Own ‘Starlink’

What will the megalomaniac and warmonger Putin the Terrible do with all these satellites?

Russia Adds More Rassvet Satellites as Kremlin Builds Its Own ‘Starlink’ "In brief: Russia has launched a second batch of Rassvet satellites, increasing its Starlink-like constellation to about 40 orbiters. Analysts say the network remains far from military readiness, as Moscow will need several hundred satellites before it can provide reliable battlespace C3."

Researcher proposes a way to detect nuclear weapons in space

Good news! However, this proposed detection system seems to be very slow and works only in close proximity of a satellite containing a nuclear weapon.

"In 2024, a U.S. government official warned that Russia could be developing a new satellite designed to carry nuclear weapons into space. The statement followed the launch of a suspicious Russian satellite into low-Earth orbit in 2022, just a few weeks before the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A nuclear detonation in low-Earth orbit — the region about 100 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth’s surface — would release trillions of highly energetic electrons that would destroy many of the satellites in space, disrupting telecommunications networks, GPS, space-based internet, and more.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans the placement of nuclear weapons in space, but there’s currently no way to verify satellites don’t contain nuclear weapons. In fact, no verification methods have even been proposed in unclassified, peer-reviewed literature. ...

In the paper, Danagoulian calculates that a sensor system the size of a large encyclopedia could detect a nuclear weapon with 99 percent accuracy if it orbited within 4,000 meters of the suspect satellite for about a week. He also estimates that the detection time could be cut to a matter of hours if multiple satellite sensors were used or the sensor satellite was able to get within 1,000 meters of the suspect satellite. ..."

From the abstract:

"The Outer Space Treaty (OST) was opened to signatures in 1967 and, since then, 117 countries, including China, the USA and Russia, have become part of it. Among other stipulations, the treaty bans the placement of nuclear weapons in outer space.

Recently, the US government has raised worries that Russia is testing nuclear-armed anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) components, with the possibility that it will place a nuclear weapon in space.

Such a device, if detonated, would destroy most of the satellites in the low Earth orbit. This danger is compounded by the lack of a verification mechanism for the OST.

No methodologies of verification have been proposed in the open peer-reviewed literature.

Here a concept and feasibility study is presented for verifying a satellite’s compliance to the OST by observing the neutrons induced by spallation from the approximately GeV protons in the inner Van Allen radiation belts.

The calculations show that a 9U-CubeSat-sized detection platform can identify a thermonuclear weapon from a distance of 4 km in approximately one week of observation. This conceptual study will stimulate and inform future research and development of verification platforms for the OST."

MIT researcher proposes a way to detect nuclear weapons in space | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology "The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans nuclear weapons in space, but there’s currently no way to verify that satellites aren’t carrying them."

Detection schemes could deter putting nuclear warheads in space

Verification of the Outer Space Treaty with cosmic protons (no public access)

Verification of the Outer Space Treaty with Cosmic Protons (preprint, open access)

Four German speaking European countries tout pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech

Good news! Europe ought to form their own defense organisation like NATO!

"Germany’s defense minister used a rare four-nation gathering of German-speaking defense chiefs this week to push forward plans for a European military space command, calling on close partners including Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg, to help shape the initiative rather than simply join it.

Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defense minister, announced at a press conference in Berlin that Germany is developing a European Space Component Command alongside a Weltraumakademie − a multilateral space training academy − and insisted that partner nations will be “embedded in the design phase” rather than presented with finished structures.

The meeting, billed as the first “DACH+L” format, expanding the traditional German-Austrian-Swiss defense dialogue to include Luxembourg, served as a platform for Pistorius to demonstrate traction on Germany’s €35 billion ($40.7 billion) military space investment pledged last fall. That program spans encrypted low-earth-orbit satellite constellations, military-grade launch capacity, and an expanded Space Command within the Bundeswehr.

Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner reaffirmed that Austria plans to put three operationally designated military satellites plus a test object into orbit next year, developed partly with Austrian startups."

Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech

Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner (Source)

China builds advanced satellite power system for particle beam and other space weapons

This does not sound good! Is the arms race between China and the US heating up more?

"... In a peer-reviewed study published in the Chinese-language journal Advanced Small Satellite Technology last month, a team led by senior engineer Su Zhenhua with DFH Satellite Co, Ltd, China’s largest satellite manufacturer, revealed an unprecedented space-based power system prototype that achieves both high power and precision. ...

Their device delivers 2.6 megawatts (MW) of pulsed power while maintaining pulse synchronisation accuracy of just 0.63 microseconds in ground tests.

“Existing pulsed power supplies typically have an output power of less than 1 megawatt and synchronisation control accuracy worse than 1 millisecond, with limits in current control precision and conversion efficiency as well ...

The team said higher performance was urgently needed because “devices like electromagnetic jamming warfare simulators and particle beam systems demand extremely high instantaneous power – often requiring megawatt-level energy to be released with microsecond or even nanosecond precision”. ..."

China builds advanced satellite power system for particle beam and other space weapons | South China Morning Post

In historic shift, ESA poised to take on defense role and capabilities

Blame it on Putin the Terrible and President Trump!

"The Nov. 26-27 meeting of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Council of Ministers is shaping up to be a watershed moment, with senior space officials from the 23 member states set to vote on a package of projects explicitly designed to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities.

If the proposal from ESA Director Josef Aschbacher is approved, it would be a historic first — since its founding in 1975 the agency has assiduously disavowed any connection to military space activities, instead insisting on a strictly civil mission.

“In a nutshell, there is a general wake-up call in Europe after the war in Ukraine for the need for more autonomy. Countries are investing more in defense (NATO, etc.) and as part of it in space,” one European space official told Breaking Defense. “[T]here is a shift towards security activities triggered by the new U.S. policies and their impact in Europe.” ..."

In historic shift, ESA poised to take on defense role - Breaking Defense "Since its founding 50 years ago, the European Space Agency has shunned involvement in military space activities."

Space is the new frontier of war, officials say in change of tone. Really!

May I remind of the Sputnik crisis of 1957! If one does not learn basic lessons of history, one is condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past!

Caveat: I did not read the article.

"Space has become a war-fighting domain, an assessment that calls for doctrinal changes and the ability to intervene there more quickly, space-force leaders from several NATO countries said at the Space Defense and Security Summit here on Tuesday ..."

Space is the new frontier of war, officials say in change of tone

China demonstrated ‘satellite dogfighting,’ in low earth orbit in 2024 US Space Force general says

The militarization of space goes on!

"... A top Space Force general said Tuesday that commercial systems have observed Chinese satellites rehearsing “dogfighting” maneuvers in low Earth orbit — the U.S. adversary’s latest show of tactical and technological advancement in space capabilities. ...

A service spokesperson later elaborated ... saying the operation occurred in 2024 and involved three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites and two other Chinese experimental spacecraft, the Shijian-605 A and B. The Shijian-6 systems are believed to have a signals intelligence mission. ..."

China demonstrated ‘satellite dogfighting,’ Space Force general says

Space Force Chief on Why China, Russia Are a ‘Substantial’ Threat | WSJ

Recommendable! Serious stuff!

US space superiority crucial in fight with China, Russia

Recommendable! A serious concern!

‘Dogfighting in space’: US warns of China’s advanced satellite maneuvers

Recommendable and concerning! Is the US falling behind?

China Simulates 'Hunting' Elon Musk's Starlink Satellites

Recommendable! Does not seem to be a serious threat! All computer simulations!

European militaries rush to catch up on space traffic mapping

The militarisation of the so called last frontier goes on!

It was President Trump, who created the U.S. Space Force in 2019 and it began already under President Reagan.

"The boom in space activity of the past few years has made Earth’s orbit more crowded and dynamic, and Western militaries need to step up space awareness to counter growing threats in the domain, defense officials and space company executives said.

Commercial use of space now dwarfs the military, with thousands of new satellites joining potential menaces such as Russia’s roving Luch Olymp inspector satellite. ...

In response, France’s Safran is adding ground stations to track satellite radio emissions, German firm Vyoma expects to launch its first telescope into low Earth orbit next year for visual reconnaissance, while Colorado-based True Anomaly in April won a U.S. Space Force contract for a maneuvering satellite that can take a close look at potential adversaries in various orbits. ..."

European militaries rush to catch up on space traffic mapping

Space race elevates Asia in new world order

Recommendable! Will the advances continue to be shared? The increasing militarization of space is concerning!

Chart of the day

A new Cold War!

Russia Vetoes UN Vote to Ban Arms in Space, Raising Fears of Space Warfare with Palki Sharma

Recommendable!

What Happens If We Nuke Space?

Recommendable!

Russian Nukes in Space? Here’s What We Know

Very recommendable! Have you ever heard of Starfish Prime, the largest ever nuclear bomb explosion test in space of 1962 at an altitude of 400 km?

Is Russia developing space-based nuclear weapon? What we know of US claim

You wonder why this popped up now! Is it election season again? Hot air?

Is this the last straw of the 46th President's reelection campaign?

The militarization of space has been going on for decades. Probably, several countries (including the U.S.) are involved in developing counter measures to satellites etc.

Whether a nuclear weapon is of much use or superior for this purpose is probably questionable.

A nuclear weapon sure sounds scary!

"... The exact nature of the weapon - and whether it actually exists - is unclear. But threatening satellites could cause all sorts of mischief - undermining communications, surveillance, intelligence and command and control around the world, including in the nuclear sphere. ...

The new capabilities, related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based weapon, do not pose an urgent threat to the United States, the source said. ..."

Is Russia developing space-based nuclear weapon? What we know of US claim  | Reuters

Snooping Nightmare: Chinese Satellite Eavesdrops on American Satellites

Very recommendable! Very concerning! The race to weaponize space is on. E.g. Australia is developing satellites that can soft kill other satellites and so on.

Is the US getting ready for a PEARL HARBOR in SPACE?

Recommendable! Good overview, includes historic perspective and more ...