Russia attempting to develop nuclear space weapon to destroy satellites with EMP | Hacker News Reader

Russia attempting to develop nuclear space weapon to destroy satellites with EMP

cnn.com

15 pointsderwiki14 comments

I have yet to see any ASAT tech, from any country, that isn't mutually destructive.

Kinetic ASAT weapons create debris that affects everyone in space.

EMP ASAT weapons would also affect nearby satellites. For example, if they wipe out their own Glonass satellites, their own weapons systems (which are dependent on Glonass) would suffer - and their ground-based systems (Loran) has limited cover and accuracy. Goodbye to weapons that need accurate navigation/guidance.

It is mentioned that these would be some absolute last ditch measures...so do keep that in mind. About as last ditch as conventional use of nuclear weapons. If that time comes around, we're all going to be pretty screwed either way.

ASAT that doesn't involve strong mechanical capture like a net and deorbiting is a bad idea™ from the outset. That's not really feasible and there are very, very few legitimate needs to shoot down any satellite. Plus, the prospect of an arms race or open conflict in the final frontier doesn't help global security or anything else except murderous, megalomaniacal autocrats intent on say destroying a GNSS that would only have the effect of escalating painful reprisals.

I can think of a few extremely good reasons to go "Deathcon 3" against military satellites. For example, if the enemy derives more benefits from space than you do.

- "Biden administration officials contend that if Russia were to field a nuclear EMP, it would be the first-ever violation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which bans stationing weapons of mass destruction in outer space."

- “It would be a violation of the Outer Space Treaty to which more than 130 countries have signed up to, including Russia,” Kirby said Thursday, without providing details."

Why would they intend to put nuclear weapons in orbit? That's not necessary for anti-satellite weapons.

>Why would they intend to put nuclear weapons in orbit? That's not necessary for anti-satellite weapons.

I think the standing theory is that every superpower has some type of weapons platform lurking about in orbit for a 'best-attempt' at first strike capability.

Russian accuse the US of putting a bomber in space (X37), Americans accuse China of the same (Shenlong), presumably Russia either has an equivalent or a deterrent for their perceived threat.

Maybe such a weapon would violate MAD? So it becomes destabilizing? Also, one such Russian weapon would lead to massive budget boots for the US DoD. The MIC loves a good Red scare narrative.

As for the 130 counties, that's kinda comical. Only a handful of countries have nukes. Only a handful can put one in orbit. And only one of those countries has actually used nukes.

Wouldn’t you simply put Kamala Harris permanently in a bunker? I believe these types of weapons are for first strike decapitation.

Given there are deep ocean subs with nukes, unless you can decapitate those there's no such thing.

Moi? The whole idea (survival nuclear war) is so absurd that any such discussion borders on (political) theatre. It's the narrative power dreams up to maintain a state of fear; to justify their existence to the proles.

It's a page(s) out of 1984, while the masses are distracted into submission a la Brave New World.

The article casually mentions nuclear-powered missiles that Russia has been testing since at least 2019.

How is this not a bigger deal? Intentionally spewing radioactive waste into Earth's atmosphere is a crime against humanity.

The missiles are scary though. The concept is that you have nuclear (powered) cruise missiles that can just cruise/loiter around in space, at very high speeds, and with maneuverability until they are needed. For years.

If you have sufficient coverage of those, they could be used to strike on very, very short notice.

Loitering an open-air nuclear reactor in low earth orbit for years is almost as bad as the strike too.

Russia's military technology playbook is to exaggerate and disinform claims about capabilities. I'm left wondering if this just DC Russophobia hype being parroted by mainstream media lacking credible intelligence that problematic military space weaponry will be deployed. Congrats CNN, you're doing the work of the Kremlin for them.

It's not very far fetched to detonate a nuke in space. The Russians can already do this without developing a brand new weapons platform.

The idea has been around a long time. This was the plot of CoD MW2 If someone nuked above the US and knocked out our grid it would be the most cost effective attack you can possibly think of.

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