U.S. Space Command blasts Russia for anti-satellite missile test – SpaceNews

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April 20, 2020

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Written by Editor

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

by Sandra Erwin — April 15, 2020

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond briefs reporters at the Pentagon March 27, 2020. Credit: U.S. Air Force

U.S. Space Command said the test showed that Russia’s missiles are capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit.

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.

PNT is the quiet backbone of everything but too many leaders still don't see the risk.

But you do. You understand the systems, the dependencies, the failure chains. That insight is rare — and it's exactly what your country needs right now. Contact your government leaders and industry decision-makers and tell them resilient PNT isn't a feature — it's the foundation everything else depends on.

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