The US Department of Defense has expressed serious concern about Russia’s recent launch of the Kosmos-2576 satellite. The Pentagon believes that this satellite can be an anti-satellite weapon capable of attacking other objects in Earth orbit.
About it on briefing US Department of Defense Press Secretary Pat Ryder said:
“What I’m tracking is that on May 16, as you pointed out, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we believe is likely a space weapon capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.”
Of particular concern is the fact that “Cosmos-2576” was launched into an orbit identical to the orbit of the American reconnaissance satellite USA-314. According to analysts, this may indicate Russia’s intentions to test its new weapon against American satellites.
Pat Ryder notes that the Russian satellite has characteristics and is similar to other anti-satellite systems tested in 2019 and 2022.
Reuters agency reports that American special services predicted the launch of the Cosmos-2576 satellite and warned allies about its potential danger even before it was launched into orbit. The Soyuz launch vehicle launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on May 16, carrying at least nine satellites into orbit, including Kosmos-2576. This type of Russian military satellite has already been repeatedly criticized by American officials for “reckless behavior” in space.
