Earlier this week there were reports that Russia wants to place nuclear weapons in space. A claim denied by Russia.
– I am worried, everyone should be worried, says Joseph Aschbacher, head of ESA, the European Space Agency.
The news that Russia is planning for nuclear weapons in space, with the goal of being able to knock out other countries’ satellites, was spread earlier this week in both the Swedish and international press.
The information came from Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who warned Congress of a “serious national security threat” to the United States.
The head of the Swedish Space Agency worried
The head of the European Space Agency, Joseph Aschbacher, is concerned about the information about Russia’s possible plans for nuclear weapons in space.
– Of course I’m worried. Everyone should be worried. We don’t yet know the Russian plans, and I don’t want to speculate. But if the infrastructure of space is threatened, it will have a huge impact on our daily life, says Joseph Aschbacher.
If satellites in space are knocked out, it can affect pretty much all communications on Earth.
– I can’t even imagine what it means. Navigation systems, systems for global observations of the earth’s surface, the biosphere and the atmosphere, systems for agriculture and fisheries, telecommunications – all will be affected. Also with bank transfers and ATMs, explains Joseph Aschbacher.
Much is at stake
– There is a lot at stake, everywhere, every day. So yes, this is something we need to protect, says Aschbacher.
Sending nuclear weapons into space has been prohibited since 1967. At that time, the Outer Space Treaty was signed in the UN, which states, among other things, that nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction may not be placed in orbit around the Earth.