Will Putin start World War 3 in space?: Russia's Cosmos 2553 at edge of low-Earth orbit raises fears
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Orbital Threat
Russia’s Cosmos 2553 satellite, launched in 2022, has sparked fears of a space-based weapon. US officials suggest it could test components for anti-satellite nuclear systems.
Graveyard Orbit
Positioned at the edge of low-Earth orbit, a region for defunct satellites, Cosmos 2553’s unusual trajectory raised suspicions of its true intent.
Space Arms Race
The possibility of nuclear weapons in space has reignited fears of a devastating arms race. Experts warn such weapons could cripple Earth’s communication and defense systems.
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Nuclear EMP
A space-based nuclear detonation could release an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), frying electronics in orbit and disrupting Earth’s infrastructure, including GPS, power grids, and banking.
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Historical Warning
The 1962 Starfish Prime nuclear test in orbit disrupted electronics in Hawaii, 500 miles away. Modern weapons could have exponentially greater impact.
Credit: Wikipedia
Global Violations
Despite the 1967 Outer Space Treaty banning nuclear arms in orbit, nations like Russia, China, and the US are testing anti-satellite weapons, raising alarm over treaty violations.
Co-Orbital Danger
A co-orbital weapon could maneuver near enemy satellites and detonate, creating chaos in space and rendering critical infrastructure on Earth ineffective.
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Weaponized Debris
Destroying satellites could generate massive debris clouds, threatening other spacecraft, including the International Space Station, until the fragments burn in Earth’s atmosphere.
Space Race 2.0
China, Russia, and the US are developing space-capable military technology, from hunter-killer satellites to hypersonic glide vehicles, amplifying the risks of orbital warfare.
Earth in Chaos
A nuclear weapon deployed in orbit could disrupt modern life entirely, affecting communication, navigation, and military systems, plunging nations into chaos.