5 April 2022

Russia’s Anti-Satellite Weapons: An Asymmetric Response to U.S. Aerospace Superiority

Jaganath Sankaran

Russia conducted a direct-ascent hit-to-kill anti-satellite (ASAT) test on November 15, 2021, striking a Russian satellite and rendering it into more than 1,500 pieces of orbital debris. Reacting to the test, U.S. Space Command commander Army Gen. James Dickinson claimed that Russia is “deploying capabilities to actively deny access to and use of space by the United States and its allies.” He further noted that Russia’s counterspace weapons systems undermine strategic stability.

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