Image: Shutterstock

What’s new: More concerns and focus on Russia deploying space-based nuclear weapons.

Why it’s important: The West, and especially the U.S., relies on space more than do Russia and China. A space-based nuclear weapon could be effectively used as a threat or in an act of war.

What else to know:

• Reports have Russia planning on deploying space-based nuclear weapons capable of damaging satellites kinetically or with electromagnetic pulses, AND nuclear powered electronic warfare weapons. The latter could impact users on the ground.
• Space Force has recently announced the Orbital Watch program and sharing intelligence information with concerned companies regardless of whether or not they have security clearances or contracts with the government. Space Force says threats to space assets are increasing.

NATO chief is worried about Russian space nukes

“The development of nuclear weapons in space is a way for Russia to improve its capabilities,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte tells Welt am Sonntag.