Russia may have launched “satellite killer”

A mysterious object has raised concerns that Russia may have revived a Cold War project by testing a satellite capable of chasing down other spacecraft, a technology that could be used to destroy or disable them
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Dec 25, 2013: Russia launches seemingly routine mission to add three Rodnik communications satellites to existing military constellation

May 5, 2014: Russia reveals launch sent four satellites into orbit instead of three. Radar observations show fourth satellite – Kosmos 2499 – performing unusual manoeuvres to change orbit

Nov 9: Manoeuvres culminate with close approach to Briz-KM – upper stage of rocket that originally launched all four satellites into orbit

Yubileiny satellite: Carried as “piggyback” on previous Rockot missions, could indicate size and mass of Kosmos 

Length: 3m

Weight: 100kg

Briz-KM 

Rockot booster
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Russian mission follows similar tests by U.S., which launched ANGELS satellite in July 2014, and China, which launched Shijian 15 satellite in July 2013

Explicit testing of such weapons in space is prohibited by international treaties
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Source: russianspaceweb

Picture: Getty Images

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