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Launch of the SpaceX rocket with satellite prototype from the Cape Canaveral spaceport
Photo: Joe Skipper / REUTERS
With a new satellite network, the United States would like to better protect itself against attacks on critical infrastructure. As the New York Times reports, the US Department of Defense sent a prototype into space from the Cape Canaveral spaceport on Wednesday that is said to be able to locate enemy missiles.
The launch of the prototype coincided with the day US intelligence reports on an alleged new nuclear anti-satellite weapon from Russia became public. However, there is no direct connection between the two events.
The intelligence information sparked speculation about whether Russia wants to station a nuclear weapon in space. However, experts believe it is more likely that the reports relate to the development of a nuclear-powered jamming satellite.
According to the New York Times report, the aim of the new American system is to shield the near-Earth orbit. For this purpose, a total of hundreds of small and inexpensive satellites are to be sent. Detailed information about the units of the so-called “Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture” is not known.
Satellites ensure smooth telecommunications on Earth, they send GPS data and are used for military reconnaissance. This makes them lucrative as a target for enemy military operations.
If other countries turn off one or more such satellites, the new US system will apparently function as a backup. Certain tasks could then be transferred from one unit to another.
Current satellites are vulnerable to attacks. Various countries are working on microwave and laser systems that can be used to specifically switch off satellites. Experts also estimate the risk of hacker attacks to be high.
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