Russia Launches Weapon into Space on May 16, According to Pentagon

The U.S. Space Command reported that Russia recently launched a satellite believed to have the capability to inspect and potentially attack other satellites in orbit. The Russian spacecraft, identified as COSMOS 2576, is trailing a U.S. spy satellite.

On May 16, Russia’s Soyuz rocket lifted off from its Plesetsk launch site near Moscow, deploying several satellites including the COSMOS 2576, which U.S. officials have identified as a military “inspector” spacecraft with potential counterspace capabilities.

The U.S. Space Command spokesperson stated that the new Russian satellite is likely a counterspace weapon designed to attack satellites in low Earth orbit. This deployment raises concerns due to the satellite’s proximity to a U.S. government satellite.

Similar Russian satellites with counterspace capabilities were launched in 2019 and 2022, with tactics of deploying close to sensitive U.S. spy satellites. U.S. intelligence agencies anticipated the launch of COSMOS 2576 and shared their assessment with allies prior to its deployment.

As of now, COSMOS 2576 has not approached a U.S. satellite, but its orbital path indicates possible future proximity to a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office satellite. The U.S. has raised concerns about Russia’s development of space-based nuclear weapons, although no nuclear weapons have been deployed in space according to U.S. officials.

Concerns over satellite weapons and space activities have led to tension between the U.S. and Russia at the United Nations Security Council. With Russia’s activities in space becoming more secretive since the invasion of Ukraine, the threat of potential attacks on U.S. satellites remains a significant issue.