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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Space has become one of the key domains of modern warfare because satellites provide the military with communications, intelligence and navigation. After disruptions to Starlink service and Russia’s use of Oreshnik missiles, Ukraine has stepped up work on its own space systems.
This is reported in a piece by The Guardian.
Why is space becoming a domain of confrontation?
Russia’s war against Ukraine is increasingly extending beyond the Earth’s surface. Satellite communications, intelligence and navigation have become important components of military operations, and space infrastructure has become a strategic target.
One example of such confrontation was the Ukrainian strike on the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Samara, Russia 15 in August. According to the publication, two Flamingo rockets hit two buildings of the enterprise, including building 106A, where motherboards for Soyuz launch systems were assembled. That center also manufactures carrier rockets that Russia uses to put satellites into orbit.
The attack was also significant for Russia’s satellite program Rassvet, which Moscow is deploying as an alternative to Starlink. In addition, this year Ukraine struck other facilities associated with Roscosmos, including a complex in Korolyov north of Moscow and a Ukrainian-made radio telescope in occupied Crimea.
At the same time, Russia is using space technologies not only for communications and intelligence. Moscow has used Oreshnik ballistic missiles at least three times; these travel into near space during flight and then deploy multiple warheads. That forces Ukraine to seek ways to counter such threats.
Kyiv is also seeking to reduce its dependence on the American Starlink system. After disruptions to satellite communications, Ukraine accelerated development of its own network. Last month Ukraine and Danish company GomSpace announced the successful launch of the Obria Nano satellite—the first test craft for a future independent communications system. The project could involve deploying about 245 satellites.
Experts emphasize that the militarization of space is accelerating rapidly while international treaties are failing to keep pace with technological developments. In particular, Russia uses electronic warfare means to jam signals, laser systems to blind satellites, and “inspector” satellites that approach foreign space vehicles.
One such incident involved the Kosmos-2612 satellite, which, according to the publication, maneuvered toward a commercial radar satellite operated by Finnish company Iceye. That company provides radar imagery to the Ukrainian military. Experts interpreted the Russian craft’s maneuvers as deliberate pursuit.
Dr. Olena Grossfeld of the Swedish Defence University stressed that space war has already ceased to be merely a future scenario.
[Space war] is discussed as the future. But we are already in that future
– the expert said.
She said Russia views operations in space as part of a broader confrontation because modern warfare increasingly depends on satellite intelligence and guidance. At the same time, Russian satellites approaching the spacecraft of other countries can force them to change orbit, expend fuel and shorten their operational lifespan.
Victoria Samson, head of the space security and stability program at the Safe World Foundation, drew attention to the risks of dependence on commercial space companies. She said the Starlink disruptions and the cessation of satellite intelligence sharing with Ukraine demonstrated how vulnerable military systems can be to decisions by private companies or foreign governments.
Like the Russians with the Rassvet network, now everyone wants to have their own versions of Starlink, including Europeans
– Samson said.
What space capabilities is Ukraine developing?
Fedir Venislavskyi, chair of the parliamentary defense committee’s subcommittee on national security, said Ukraine must secure its own sovereign presence in space. He said satellite communications disruptions have already posed risks to troop command and control.
Since the start of the war, the space domain has been decisive for the Ukrainian armed forces, and recent events—whether initiated by the U.S. government or by SpaceX—showed disruptions in communications that threatened our military command-and-control systems
– Venislavskyi said.
He also stressed the need to develop means of countering Russia’s Oreshnik missiles, which pose a threat from near space.
Ukraine has already carried out at least three tests of exoatmospheric kill systems designed to intercept targets in near space. Work is ongoing on the possibility of putting such developments into production, but one of the main challenges remains funding.
This is a priority. We have already demonstrated launches of exoatmospheric systems and are working to see whether we can put this into production
– Venislavskyi said.
Recall that launching one’s own satellite can cost from several tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. The final sum is influenced by the size of the craft, the cost of launch into orbit and the expenses of its maintenance.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Україна переносить протистояння з Росією у космос, – The Guardian". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: Channel 24.
