Is Russia developing a nuclear weapons program in space? Washington hints at this while Moscow repeatedly denies it, and analysts wonder about a distant but worrying possibility in an explosive geopolitical atmosphere.
Between the statements and speculation, there is a hint at the threat that is added to the already accelerating militarization of space.
Accusation and denial
The US accusations were leaked in batches last week. The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee spoke first about “information related to a serious threat to national security.”
American media subsequently confirmed that Moscow was considering placing a nuclear weapon in space, before the White House mentioned an “anti-satellite capability developed by Russia” without confirming its nuclear nature.
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow “categorically opposes” the deployment of nuclear weapons in space, while Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu indicated that his country “does not possess” this type of weapon.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron called for “clarifications without delay.”
Questions about Russian weapons
Public information is scant and leads analysts to speculate.
Danish expert Hans Christensen of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) asks: “Is it a renewed Cold War regime or is it a new program?”
For his part, Pavel Budvig, an expert in Russian nuclear affairs, confirms: “We know that nothing has been published yet, and there appears to be no specific plan to blow up anything.”
This expert raises the possibility of the existence of a project “discussed by the Russian military industry” and “exaggerated by American intelligence with the aim of manipulation or political purposes.”
Nuclear strike in space?
On the other hand, Soviet satellites (ROSAT) used nuclear reactors as a power source, especially for radars in the 1970s and 1980s.
French researcher Xavier Pascot puts forward a hypothesis that the Russians can “develop, or are about to develop, a weapon powered by a nuclear reactor to generate large flows of energy.”
In fact, space has taken a major dimension in the conduct of the war, especially in Ukraine, which justifies Russia’s pursuit of developing forms of counter-power.
Pascoe added: “We know of programs in Russia that are moving in this direction without knowing the level of progress.”
The actual militarization of space
The militarization of space is as old as the space race. Since putting Sputnik into orbit in 1957, Washington and Moscow have sought ways to weaponize and destroy satellites.
In 1967, the superpowers and other countries signed the Space Treaty prohibiting the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
Russia destroyed one of its satellites in 2021 by launching a missile from Earth, sparking intense protests. But the conflict evolved, and moved from the idea of destroying satellites to the idea of neutralizing them with ultra-powerful lasers, directed energy, or microwave weapons.
Geopolitical tensions
Fears are increasing about the danger of space becoming a place of confrontation, like the Earth or the depths of the seas.
A space-based nuclear weapon would trigger a new arms race and “could challenge US space strategy, subvert (international) standards, and alarm allies,” according to Clementine Starling and Mark Massa of the Atlantic Council.
They emphasized: “The United States and its allies and partners will have to respond.” But “there is no need to panic” because this hypothesis “will not significantly change the balance of power between the United States and Russia in space or on Earth.”
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