The opportunities that Russia and China have in outer space raise concerns among the US authorities, General John Raymond, commander of the United States Space Force, said in an interview with The New York Times.
“Both China and Russia have several ground-based laser systems of different power. <...> To destroy or damage from the ground, or to disrupt our ability to use satellites <...> Both countries have opportunities in orbit that are troubling, “he stressed.
Raymond noted that Beijing and Moscow, among other things, have anti-satellite missiles and other systems. Thus, Russia, in his opinion, previously used a satellite designed to destroy US satellites in orbit.
On January 25, the state corporation Roscosmos announced that it is interested in continuing the dialogue with the American side on the development of deep space.
On January 20, the general director of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin expressed the opinion that under the new US President Joe Biden one should not expect an improvement in space cooperation in relations between Moscow and Washington.
Thus, the head of the state corporation commented on the statements of the future chief of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, who called Russia a key enemy in the space sphere. According to him, the activities of China and Russia in space pose a serious and growing threat to the national security interests of the United States.
In December 2020, the United States announced that space was becoming a potential arena for hostilities between the United States and its adversaries, so Washington should be ready, if necessary, to repel aggression in space.
In addition, the head of US intelligence, John Ratcliffe, said that Russia is acting irresponsibly and “provocatively” in space. According to him, Moscow created potentially dangerous space situations that threatened American interests.
At the same time, Raymond noted that no one can win in the course of a war in space.