NEW DELHI: The world is on the verge of a potential space conflict as the United States expressed concerns that Russia was showing “signs of aggression” high above Earth.
According to several sources, US-based Slingshot Aerospace officials grew alarmed when they detected Russia maneuvering one of its Luch satellites to approach within 60 kilometers of another satellite launched by an unnamed Western nation.
Slingshot Aerospace, which employs artificial intelligence to track satellites in space, identified the Luch-5X satellite closing in at a worrisome proximity, reported the Daily Star.
The United States Space Force Chief of Space Operations, General John Raymond, said, “This test is further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counter-space weapons programs. The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the nation, our allies, and US interests from hostile acts in space.”
The reasons behind Russia’s recent satellite maneuvers remain unclear, and the satellite appears to have maintained its position for several days.
According to Slingshot’s analysis, the satellite has been engaged in what they describe as a “parking maneuver,” and it appears poised to remain in its current location.
As per the Daily Star, a spokesperson said, “Slingshot’s object profiling algorithms identified multiple parking maneuverers.”
“The Slingshot Global Sensor Network has verified its location, and we are continuing to track this developing situation.” He added.
The Luch-5X satellite primarily serves to provide positional data for Russia’s space program, but given Russia’s history, there is a possibility that it may be collecting data for other purposes.
The former director of space policy at the National Security Council, Audrey Schaffer, said, “We predicted where we thought it would stop, and lo and behold, it did actually stop there.” But nonetheless, what you’re seeing is behavior that could be considered unfriendly.”
Russia calls the satellite in question an “inspector” satellite and has issued no comment on the current issue, according to the Daily Star.
(With input from agencies)
According to several sources, US-based Slingshot Aerospace officials grew alarmed when they detected Russia maneuvering one of its Luch satellites to approach within 60 kilometers of another satellite launched by an unnamed Western nation.
Slingshot Aerospace, which employs artificial intelligence to track satellites in space, identified the Luch-5X satellite closing in at a worrisome proximity, reported the Daily Star.
The United States Space Force Chief of Space Operations, General John Raymond, said, “This test is further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counter-space weapons programs. The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the nation, our allies, and US interests from hostile acts in space.”
The reasons behind Russia’s recent satellite maneuvers remain unclear, and the satellite appears to have maintained its position for several days.
According to Slingshot’s analysis, the satellite has been engaged in what they describe as a “parking maneuver,” and it appears poised to remain in its current location.
As per the Daily Star, a spokesperson said, “Slingshot’s object profiling algorithms identified multiple parking maneuverers.”
“The Slingshot Global Sensor Network has verified its location, and we are continuing to track this developing situation.” He added.
The Luch-5X satellite primarily serves to provide positional data for Russia’s space program, but given Russia’s history, there is a possibility that it may be collecting data for other purposes.
The former director of space policy at the National Security Council, Audrey Schaffer, said, “We predicted where we thought it would stop, and lo and behold, it did actually stop there.” But nonetheless, what you’re seeing is behavior that could be considered unfriendly.”
Russia calls the satellite in question an “inspector” satellite and has issued no comment on the current issue, according to the Daily Star.
(With input from agencies)
