• Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Login
VIP Articles
Subscribe
Defensionem - The WarBible

No products in the cart.

  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Defensionem
Login
Home Short Posts

Russian Star Wars. Launches A Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile

by Renaud Mayers
11 months ago
in Short Posts, Aviation, Russia
Reading Time: 5min read
0
Russian Star Wars.

Kosmos 2542 stalking a KH-11 satellite

Russian Star Wars. Russia test-launched what looked like a Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile on the 15th of April 2020. The Russians have conducted several similar tests, with the last one occurring on the 19th of November 2019. Direct-ascent weapons are designed to strike a satellite using a trajectory that intersects the target satellite.

Russian Star Wars.
Nudol-19

This latest test drew the ire of the US Space Command. According to Washington, the Russian missile is capable of destroying satellites in low earth orbit. The missile was probably a Nudol-19. The Nudol-19 is a dual Anti-Missile/Anti-Satellite missile designed to be integrated into the A-235 Ballistic Shield protecting Moscow. Anti-ballistic missiles and anti-satellite missiles share similar characteristics and flight profiles. So it isn’t a surprise to see such a missile being used for those two purposes.

Russian Star Wars.
Spacecom tweet

Back in June 2019, Russia test fired a missile designed to work on its new upcoming S-500 SAM battery. That particular hypersonic missile is suspected to also be a dual ASAT/Anti-Ballistic missile. So far, only the United States, Russia, China, and India have successfully demonstrated ASAT capabilities.

Russian Star Wars isn’t limited to ASAT missiles: Since 2013, Russia has regularly been launching a new type of classified satellites: They call them “Space Apparatus Inspectors.” In the West, we don’t really know how to call them… Some see them as spy satellites. Others see them as potential satellite killers!

Russian Star Wars.
Space apparatus inspector

Back in May 2014, Russia launched a rocket with 3 registered but classified satellites… However, NORAD detected a fourth one deploying in space! The exact same thing has happened with a launch from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on the 30th of November 2018: 3 satellites were registered for launch but a fourth one was detected separating in space during the final stage… This object was later identified as “inspector” satellite Kosmos 2499! The Russians describe their Inspector Satellites as a tool to observe their own satellite fleet in orbit, conduct visual inspections and identify possible defects or faults. The US authorities are not so sure… Those Russian satellites are small, therefore difficult to track. They are nimble and highly manoeuvrable. One of them has been observed to manoeuvre and stop near a defunct Chinese satellite. Others have been seen conducting highly unusual manoeuvres. The Russians also seem to be able to put those satellites into hibernation for several months before reactivating them when needed. Washington fears those Inspectors could be used as killer satellites, designed to stalk, eavesdrop on and/or jam foreign satellites and possibly destroy them by one mean or another.Washington’s suspicions are reinforced by the fact Moscow tries to hide some of those satellites’ launches and deployments, the secrecy the Russians maintain around this program and the subsequent Russian denial when they were asked about the unusual activities of those Inspectors back in 2018…

Another unusual development was observed in June 2017 when the Russians launched the Kosmos 2519 satellite… The launch was registered and everything seems normal up until a month later when an object separated from the satellite! Two months later, another object separated… Those two objects have now been identified as sub-satellites Kosmos 2521 and 2523! Kosmos 2519 is not only a satellite but a mothership for smaller sub-satellites!

The latest development in this saga as been observed on the 20th of January 2020: Russian inspector satellite Kosmos 2542 ended a series of manoeuvres that placed it on the tail of a US KH-11 spy satellite… The two satellites are now on an almost synchronised orbit, with the Russian one having a clear unobstructed and close up view of the American one 24/7…There are currently four identified Russian Space Apparatus Inspectors up in orbit. However, the possibility that a couple of unidentified ones could be in operation right now cannot be ruled out.

Russian Star Wars.
Kosmos 2542 stalking a KH-11 satellite

Tags: ASATDA-ASATKosmos 2499Kosmos 2519Kosmos 2521Kosmos 2523Kosmos 2542Nudol-19S-500 Prometheus
Share170TweetSend

Renaud Mayers

Currently working on behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Defence, thanks to my knowledge in WWII and other areas. Working in two WWII era fortresses still belonging to the Army.

Related Posts

Budget: How much Russia really spends on Defence
Russia

Budget: How much Russia really spends on Defence

by Renaud Mayers
January 29, 2021
0
War Game: When generals play "Risk"
Featured

War Game: When generals play “Risk”

by Renaud Mayers
January 27, 2021
0
Drones versus SAMs: Future Warfare
Aviation

Drones versus SAMs: Future Warfare

by Renaud Mayers
January 24, 2021
0
Artillery strike on Zelenopillya: Carnage on the Ukrainian plains.
Russia

Artillery strike on Zelenopillya: Carnage on the Ukrainian plains.

by Renaud Mayers
January 20, 2021
0
  • Books
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • Countries
  • Short Posts
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Libyan Conflict Watch
  • Subscription Plans
  • Our Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write For Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Contact Us: [email protected]

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

No Result
View All Result
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • History
  • Countries
    • Germany
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom (UK)
    • India
    • China
    • South America
    • Featured
    • Russia
    • United States of America (USA)
    • Syria
  • Libyan Conflict Watch
  • Short Posts
  • Subscription Plans
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

Log In ×
Forgot your Password?
Login With OTP
Resend OTP(00:30)
Don't have an account?
Signup
Resend OTP(00:30)
Back to login

Resend OTP (00:30)
Back to login
  • (+93) Afghanistan
  • (+355) Albania
  • (+213) Algeria
  • (+1) American Samoa
  • (+376) Andorra
  • (+244) Angola
  • (+1) Anguilla
  • (+1) Antigua
  • (+54) Argentina
  • (+374) Armenia
  • (+297) Aruba
  • (+61) Australia
  • (+43) Austria
  • (+994) Azerbaijan
  • (+973) Bahrain
  • (+880) Bangladesh
  • (+1) Barbados
  • (+375) Belarus
  • (+32) Belgium
  • (+501) Belize
  • (+229) Benin
  • (+1) Bermuda
  • (+975) Bhutan
  • (+591) Bolivia
  • (+599) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • (+387) Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • (+267) Botswana
  • (+55) Brazil
  • (+246) British Indian Ocean Territory
  • (+1) British Virgin Islands
  • (+673) Brunei
  • (+359) Bulgaria
  • (+226) Burkina Faso
  • (+257) Burundi
  • (+855) Cambodia
  • (+237) Cameroon
  • (+1) Canada
  • (+238) Cape Verde
  • (+1) Cayman Islands
  • (+236) Central African Republic
  • (+235) Chad
  • (+56) Chile
  • (+86) China
  • (+57) Colombia
  • (+269) Comoros
  • (+682) Cook Islands
  • (+225) Côte d'Ivoire
  • (+506) Costa Rica
  • (+385) Croatia
  • (+53) Cuba
  • (+599) Curaçao
  • (+357) Cyprus
  • (+420) Czech Republic
  • (+243) Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • (+45) Denmark
  • (+253) Djibouti
  • (+1) Dominica
  • (+1) Dominican Republic
  • (+593) Ecuador
  • (+20) Egypt
  • (+503) El Salvador
  • (+240) Equatorial Guinea
  • (+291) Eritrea
  • (+372) Estonia
  • (+251) Ethiopia
  • (+500) Falkland Islands
  • (+298) Faroe Islands
  • (+691) Federated States of Micronesia
  • (+679) Fiji
  • (+358) Finland
  • (+33) France
  • (+594) French Guiana
  • (+689) French Polynesia
  • (+241) Gabon
  • (+995) Georgia
  • (+49) Germany
  • (+233) Ghana
  • (+350) Gibraltar
  • (+30) Greece
  • (+299) Greenland
  • (+1) Grenada
  • (+590) Guadeloupe
  • (+1) Guam
  • (+502) Guatemala
  • (+44) Guernsey
  • (+224) Guinea
  • (+245) Guinea-Bissau
  • (+592) Guyana
  • (+509) Haiti
  • (+504) Honduras
  • (+852) Hong Kong
  • (+36) Hungary
  • (+354) Iceland
  • (+91) India
  • (+62) Indonesia
  • (+98) Iran
  • (+964) Iraq
  • (+353) Ireland
  • (+44) Isle Of Man
  • (+972) Israel
  • (+39) Italy
  • (+1) Jamaica
  • (+81) Japan
  • (+44) Jersey
  • (+962) Jordan
  • (+7) Kazakhstan
  • (+254) Kenya
  • (+686) Kiribati
  • (+965) Kuwait
  • (+996) Kyrgyzstan
  • (+856) Laos
  • (+371) Latvia
  • (+961) Lebanon
  • (+266) Lesotho
  • (+231) Liberia
  • (+218) Libya
  • (+423) Liechtenstein
  • (+370) Lithuania
  • (+352) Luxembourg
  • (+853) Macau
  • (+389) Macedonia
  • (+261) Madagascar
  • (+265) Malawi
  • (+60) Malaysia
  • (+960) Maldives
  • (+223) Mali
  • (+356) Malta
  • (+692) Marshall Islands
  • (+596) Martinique
  • (+222) Mauritania
  • (+230) Mauritius
  • (+262) Mayotte
  • (+52) Mexico
  • (+373) Moldova
  • (+377) Monaco
  • (+976) Mongolia
  • (+382) Montenegro
  • (+1) Montserrat
  • (+212) Morocco
  • (+258) Mozambique
  • (+95) Myanmar
  • (+264) Namibia
  • (+674) Nauru
  • (+977) Nepal
  • (+31) Netherlands
  • (+687) New Caledonia
  • (+64) New Zealand
  • (+505) Nicaragua
  • (+227) Niger
  • (+234) Nigeria
  • (+683) Niue
  • (+672) Norfolk Island
  • (+850) North Korea
  • (+1) Northern Mariana Islands
  • (+47) Norway
  • (+968) Oman
  • (+92) Pakistan
  • (+680) Palau
  • (+970) Palestine
  • (+507) Panama
  • (+675) Papua New Guinea
  • (+595) Paraguay
  • (+51) Peru
  • (+63) Philippines
  • (+48) Poland
  • (+351) Portugal
  • (+1) Puerto Rico
  • (+974) Qatar
  • (+242) Republic of the Congo
  • (+40) Romania
  • (+262) Runion
  • (+7) Russia
  • (+250) Rwanda
  • (+290) Saint Helena
  • (+1) Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • (+508) Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • (+1) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • (+685) Samoa
  • (+378) San Marino
  • (+239) Sao Tome and Principe
  • (+966) Saudi Arabia
  • (+221) Senegal
  • (+381) Serbia
  • (+248) Seychelles
  • (+232) Sierra Leone
  • (+65) Singapore
  • (+1) Sint Maarten
  • (+421) Slovakia
  • (+386) Slovenia
  • (+677) Solomon Islands
  • (+252) Somalia
  • (+27) South Africa
  • (+82) South Korea
  • (+211) South Sudan
  • (+34) Spain
  • (+94) Sri Lanka
  • (+1) St. Lucia
  • (+249) Sudan
  • (+597) Suriname
  • (+268) Swaziland
  • (+46) Sweden
  • (+41) Switzerland
  • (+963) Syria
  • (+886) Taiwan
  • (+992) Tajikistan
  • (+255) Tanzania
  • (+66) Thailand
  • (+1) The Bahamas
  • (+220) The Gambia
  • (+670) Timor-Leste
  • (+228) Togo
  • (+690) Tokelau
  • (+676) Tonga
  • (+1) Trinidad and Tobago
  • (+216) Tunisia
  • (+90) Turkey
  • (+993) Turkmenistan
  • (+1) Turks and Caicos Islands
  • (+688) Tuvalu
  • (+1) U.S. Virgin Islands
  • (+256) Uganda
  • (+380) Ukraine
  • (+971) United Arab Emirates
  • (+44) United Kingdom
  • (+1) United States
  • (+598) Uruguay
  • (+998) Uzbekistan
  • (+678) Vanuatu
  • (+58) Venezuela
  • (+84) Vietnam
  • (+681) Wallis and Futuna
  • (+212) Western Sahara
  • (+967) Yemen
  • (+260) Zambia
  • (+263) Zimbabwe
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?