By Jeff G. Gilmour, 2 September 2024
It was recently disclosed that Russia appears to be working on a nuclear weapon in orbit that could knock out our satellite systems some 2,000 kms above the earth.[1] Satellites in lower orbit would likely be fried and the ones further afield would probably succumb to radiation after-effects. A nuclear detonation in space would create a surge of radiation known as an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which disrupts electrical circuitry. The radiation switches on microchip transistors all at once, resulting in a voltage surge and destruction.
The destruction of our satellites would be catastrophic for business and the military which rely on them for communications, navigation, electrical grids and mobile phone networks. US companies are now working on a means to shut off the power of the satellites by detecting a minimal amount of radiation, known as “nuclear event detector” (NED). Depending on the size of the radiation explosion in space, the Pentagon is now urging companies to develop better radiation protections for their future spacecrafts.
1- The Economist, “Satellite Armageddon,” 29 June 2024, p. 64.
One thought on “Satellite Destruction”
Hello,
There are nuclear-powered satellite platforms, but detonating a space-based nuclear device seems like a self-defeating overkill solution.
Why risk demolishing their own and their allies’ satellite constellations with such a Samson option, when surface missile and laser systems can already target and affect low-orbit imaging satellites much more selectively?
All this excitement about space nukes obscures the fact that satellite systems are now vulnerable to conventional weapons. All ISR assets, including satellites, would be fair game in a real war with Russia, and we would not be able to operate our systems with impunity should things like their Special Military Operation in the Ukraine escalate.
The US and its allies should operate with the understanding that no amount of shielding will protect these ISR systems They will be severely disrupted and the historical ISR advantage held by the US will be lost; doctrines and policies should be revised accordingly.
Regards