Jan Barry Foster’s Post

Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology: The country will soon witness the launch of the first "Saman" system to transfer space cargo between Earth orbits. This system is able to transfer light satellites from a 300 km orbit to a 5000 km orbit, Iran successfully launched the first test of this system on October 12, 2019. Adib's Note: As they are aiming to reach higher orbits the technology used in the vectors are dual purpose. These satellite vectors can be used to deliver nuclear weapon system. This is concerning because our recent intelligence shows that iran has resumed the work on the Neutron Initiators as we have previously reported. The last satellite launch has been conducted with the IRGC made QAEM-100 a 3 stage solid fuel vector. Although in order to carry a reentry vehicle the vector should be able to achieve the suborbital LEO, reaching a higher orbit would the precursor to building more complex vectors and anti-satellite weapon systems. The mere fact that their satellite vectors are designed to carry multiple payloads is alarming. This trial to reach the MEO (medium earth orbit) could also mean that they are tryin to build their own navigation system to further advance their Ballistic missile program. The orbit is suitable for missile defense and tracking as well which could further their ability to advance their early warning systems.// Alert Item!

A tiered approach is the way forward. Reliance on satellite constellations will remain a weakness in the future and a failure point in conflict. The article highlights the growing concerns about space warfare as Russia and China explore the potential deployment of nuclear weapons in space. Both nations view U.S. satellite constellations as threats and are considering nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) strategies to counter them. Russia’s focus appears to be on detonations in higher orbits to disrupt satellites over time, while China is exploring lower-altitude detonations with immediate effects. These developments challenge international norms and raise concerns about the potential weaponization of space, despite longstanding treaties prohibiting such actions. Learn more about or non-RF navigation system at www.msrsnav.com and give us a follow to stay up to date with new tech developments we are working on. #navigatewithconfidence #msrs #gps #gnss #jamming #spoofing #deniedgps #electronicwarfare #navigationwarfare https://lnkd.in/ghqDMziQ

https://lnkd.in/eFn4p_RY This New York Times article underscores the critical need for the United States to develop innovative tools for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Adversarial nations are rapidly advancing capabilities to challenge our longstanding superiority in space. My experience on USAF/USSF HQ staffs and at SpaceX reinforced the critical importance of having a clear understanding of adversary capabilities across all domains. Just as U-2 reconnaissance photos provided definitive evidence of offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba during the 1962 crisis, we need a similar capability in space today. Without the ability to accurately attribute and identify nefarious actions within the domain, we risk eroding our strategic advantage. The inability to characterize the capabilities and contents of Cosmos 2553, combined with discussions with thought leaders in USSF, industry, and academia, highlights the urgent need for a more robust network of SDA capabilities. This is why ThinkOrbital’s groundbreaking efforts to address this "missing piece" of SDA through X-ray imaging of spacecraft are so vital. Our work will play a key role in securing the future of our nation, as well as that of our partners and allies.

Nukes in space? Well, there is this thing called the Outer Space Treaty (1967). BLUF - the treaty prohibits signatories from putting into orbit any weapons systems that are WMD - nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological, etc. The purpose of the weapon need not be to attack targets on the ground. Putting the weapons into space is a grave breach in and of itself. (Article IV) That said... Russia can't even fight Ukraine. Yet somehow, they're going to come up with the capability (and the money) to put nukes in orbit in an attempt to blind the US constellation? (That's what we call our comms and intel satellites.) They may want to put nukes in space - but they don't have the wherewithal to make that event happen at the moment. Panetta, in his remarks, is being coy. Protecting the constellation has been a mission of the NRO since its founding. We have various mechanisms to protect the constellation. Not all are classified. On 21 February 2008, the US Navy destroyed a malfunctioning US spy satellite, USA-193, using a RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 about 247 km (153 mi) above the Pacific Ocean. The purpose was to destroy the satellite and to test our ASAT capability. That was our last known ASAT test. Two years ago, to avoid an "anti-satellite race," the United States announced it would cease operations in developing ASAT technology. To our knowledge, the last ASAT test was in 2021. The main issue was junk flying around after the satellites were destroyed. Unlike Star Trek or Star Wars - when something blows up in space - it isn't vaporized. That debris represented a problem for the future of space launches. As a broader issue, there is concern that companies like SpaceX, who want to launch thousands of satellites in LEO, could create a debris field that would make celestial navigation impossible. Space is about the most expensive thing any country can engage in. Obviously, the Russians could decide to forgo other things in favor of a space-based nuke - but it would have to withdraw from the Outer Space Treaty. That act would undoubtedly cause the US to withdraw as well. The most likely result is that China and Russia would face the entirety of the US space industry and the A&D sectors for domination of Space and the Moon. It would be a game they wouldn't win.

Russia's veto against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space might be seen not merely as political subterfuge but as a strategic maneuver grounded in historical precedence. From the advancements in sailing technology during the 14th to 17th centuries to the control of airspace in the 1940s, the pursuit of domain dominance has historically been instrumental in sustaining empires. The placement of nuclear weapons in space could catalyze global weapons proliferation in the cosmos, escalating an arms race beyond Earth's confines. Particularly a nation that has shown aggression towards non-hostile neighbors. #UN #space

The use of COTS for space to accelerate time to space has to include radiation hardness as part of the equation. Rad hard COTS electronics is indispensable.

Interesting read.

Russia and China are actively developing nuclear capabilities specifically designed to target U.S. satellites, posing a significant challenge to existing norms regarding the militarization of space. Both nations perceive U.S. satellite networks as crucial for military operations and strategic advantage. Russia has been testing satellites that may be equipped for nuclear detonation, aiming to disrupt satellite functionality through increased radiation exposure. At the same time, China is advancing its capabilities to conduct lower-altitude nuclear detonations, which could create localized radiation fields that incapacitate U.S. space assets without triggering a full-scale nuclear war. The Russian satellite Cosmos-2553, which operates in a high-radiation orbit, exemplifies this dual-purpose strategy. While it may appear to serve scientific purposes, its orbital position suggests it could be used to gather data relevant to a nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) program. In contrast, China’s military technologists have leveraged advancements in AI and supercomputing, enabling them to model nuclear detonations with high precision. This capability allows China to plan targeted attacks on U.S. satellites, enhancing their strategic options in a potential conflict. The implications of these developments indicate a new arms race in space, where nuclear weapons are viewed as tools to ensure dominance over adversaries. By holding U.S. satellite networks at risk, both Russia and China are shifting the landscape of military strategy. As these nations pursue such capabilities, the need for international dialogue on the weaponization of space becomes increasingly urgent. Ensuring a stable and secure space environment is critical for global security and the prevention of conflict escalation. Please select 💡 if you thought this post made a great point, offered a new idea, or shared helpful insights or advice. #SpaceSecurity #NuclearDeterrence #USMilitary #Russia #China #SatelliteDefense #SpaceArmsRace #GlobalSecurity #MilitaryStrategy #DefenseInnovation #InternationalRelations #SpacePolicy #EmergingThreats

The U.S. government is funding Lockheed Martin to develop nuclear-powered spacecraft for diverse applications, including military space operations. These spacecraft, utilizing nuclear propulsion technologies, aim to enhance maneuverability and endurance in space missions, supporting dynamic operations like changing orbits without the constraints of conventional fuel limits. This initiative reflects a broader ambition to extend human and robotic presence across the solar system, with specific applications for moon and Mars missions. #nuclear #space #propulsion #power #spaceindustry #spacetechnology #nucleartechnology https://lnkd.in/gdk5tFSs

China's rapid development of space-based military systems is more concerning to Washington than possible Russian space nuclear weapons, U.S. Space Force chief General B. Chance Saltzman told POLITICO. "The pace with which they put counterspace capabilities into play is mind-boggling," Saltzman said in an interview, referring to systems deployed against satellites and spacecraft. He added it is "concerning" that Beijing is launching "hundreds of satellites" as part of a targeting system that can be used to aid missions on Earth. Saltzman said attention has often focused on Russia and its development of a kind of space nuclear weapon as the "closest alligator to the boat" when it comes to European security, but the bigger challenge is posed by China. "The volume of threats, the diversity of threats that [China] is presenting is a particular challenge," he said. "But Russia is a very capable space-faring nation, and they've invested heavily in counterspace as well." Both Beijing and Moscow are working together on a moon station, and have recruited countries such as Egypt, South Africa, Thailand and Pakistan into an initiative that is a direct rival to the U.S. Artemis lunar program. See https://lnkd.in/gi5jwPNP Darin Lovett, Aude Vignelles, Jason Held, Rob Long, Erin M. Miller, Tony Colucci, Allen Antrobus, Michael Sharpe #AUKUS