Outer space

Is Russia Already Fighting In Space?

The world’s major powers follow an unwritten rule when it comes to space exploration: no weapons in orbit. But lately the three leading space nations—the US, China, and Russia—have been accused of ignoring this so far undisturbed agreement. Russia, especially.

The accusations involve three Russian satellites that may be “suicide” weapons, devices that can smash into and destroy other satellites. Russia did not announce the satellites or fully register them with the UN, as launch nations generally do. The craft practically dance around in orbit. One may even have collided with another object. Although the satellites could be agile spy craft or repair drones, their potential as weapons has the world rather worried.