US Worried Russian Nuclear Weapons in Space Could Disrupt Global Satellites

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The United States has voiced serious concerns regarding reports that Russia is developing nuclear capabilities in space that could potentially disrupt global satellites. These concerns were articulated by the head of US Space Command, Stephen N. Whiting, in an interview that spotlighted the growing Russian military activity in the space domain. Whiting described the most alarming reports as those suggesting Russia is considering deploying nuclear-based anti-satellite weapons in orbit. According to him, such a move would pose a significant risk to the current space infrastructure that underpins various aspects of modern life. “Russia remains a highly historic and sophisticated space power,” Whiting stated, underscoring that despite sanctions, Moscow continues to invest in military space technology, as reported by Fox News. He added that the use of nuclear weapons in orbit would breach international commitments, particularly the principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space. Whiting stressed that space is a global commons that should be utilised for peaceful purposes. He compared the current situation to historical eras of exploration, where new territories were often unilaterally claimed by certain nations. However, in the context of modern space, such an approach is deemed unacceptable. Although he did not disclose intelligence details, Whiting affirmed that the circulating reports are sufficient to raise serious concerns among US defence authorities. He also warned that the impacts of using nuclear weapons in orbit would be far-reaching and not limited to a single country.