We will update this story as more information becomes available.
Updated 1:25 PM EST:
CNN is now reporting the U.S. State Department is planning later today to issue a statement that American officials have assessed that Russia did conduct an ASAT test sometime in the past few days.
In the meantime, other evidence that this “debris-generating event” was an ASAT test is growing. A previously issued warning notice to airmen and mariners said that a potential rocket launch could occur early on Nov. 15 from Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which is used for space launches and missile tests. Experts and observers have noted that the apparent path of this prospective launch would align well with Kosmos-1408’s orbit.
More details about the debris cloud are also emerging. However, it may take some time for all of the newly created objects to be identified and cataloged.
Updated 2:15 PM EST:
LeoLabs, a space debris tracking and collision prevention services firm, says it has detected at least 30 new objects near where Kosmos-1408 would be expected to be if it had continued along its known orbit.
Separately, The New York Times is now reporting that Space Command may be tracking at least another thousand objects in space as a result of this apparent Russian ASAT test.
Updated 2:40 PM EST:
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price has now officially said that the U.S. government has assessed that Russia did conduct an ASAT test that resulted in the destruction of one of its satellites in orbit. He described the test as “reckless” and said that it involved the use of a direct-ascent interceptor.
“The test has so far generated over 1500 pieces of trackable orbital debris and hundreds of 1000s of pieces of smaller orbital debris that now threaten the interests of all nations,” Price said at a press conference today. “This test will significantly increase the risk to astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station, as well as to other human spaceflight activities.”
“Russia’s dangerous and irresponsible behavior jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of outer space and clearly demonstrates that Russia’s claims of opposing the weaponization of space are disingenuous and hypocritical,” he continued. “The United States will work with our allies and partners to respond to Russia’s irresponsible act.”
“We as you know, don’t telegraph specific measures, but as I said before, we will work with our allies and partners in different ways to make clear that the United States that the international community is not going to tolerate this kind of irresponsible behavior,” he said in response to a subsequent question from a member of the press.
At a separate press conference, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that “we share the concern that our State Department colleagues stressed” regarding the Russian ASAT test.
Updated 5:10 PM EST:
U.S. Space Command now issued its own statement about the recent Russian ASAT test, which is as follows:
Russia tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test on Nov. 15, 2021, Moscow Standard Time, that struck a Russian satellite [COSMOS 1408] and created a debris field in low-Earth orbit. The test so far has generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris and will likely generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris.
“Russia has demonstrated a deliberate disregard for the security, safety, stability, and long-term sustainability of the space domain for all nations,” said U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander. “The debris created by Russia’s DA-ASAT will continue to pose a threat to activities in outer space for years to come, putting satellites and space missions at risk, as well as forcing more collision avoidance maneuvers. Space activities underpin our way of life and this kind of behavior is simply irresponsible.”
USSPACECOM’s initial assessment is that the debris will remain in orbit for years and potentially for decades, posing a significant risk to the crew on the International Space Station and other human spaceflight activities, as well as multiple countries’ satellites. USSPACECOM continues to monitor the trajectory of the debris and will work to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to safeguard their on-orbit activities if impacted by the debris cloud, a service the United States provides to the world, to include Russia and China.
“Russia is developing and deploying capabilities to actively deny access to and use of space by the United States and its allies and partners,” Dickinson added. “Russia’s tests of direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons clearly demonstrate that Russia continues to pursue counterspace weapon systems that undermine strategic stability and pose a threat to all nations.”
Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com