Image: Department of Defense
Blog Editor’s Note: Today we take a quick break from the Ligado controversy (yes, the FCC did actually vote to approve). Not to worry, we will come back to it soon.
We thought it might good to remember there are other threats to our essential GPS signals.
Note that GPS satellites are in Medium Earth Orbit and this event seems to be oriented around low earth orbit. Also, a bit harder to impact a whole constellation than an individual satellite with a kinetic weapon. That said, see our post about a Russian nuclear powered jammer satellite. It could easily prevent any satellite signals from reaching a significant portion of the planet.
U.S. Space Command blasts Russia for anti-satellite missile test
WASHINGTON — U.S. Space Command said Russia test fired an anti-satellite missile on April 15. The command said the test is proof that Russia’s space weapons threaten American satellites.
“Russia’s direct-ascent anti-satellite test provides yet another example that the threats to U.S. and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” said Gen. John Raymond, commander of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations.
In a statement April 15, U.S. Space Command said the test showed that Russia’s missiles are capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit.
