Security News > 2024 > February > Pentagon launches nuke-spotting satellites amid Russian space bomb rumors

Last night's launch of six Pentagon missile-detection satellites was well timed as fears mount that Russia is considering putting nuclear weapons into space.

The US Department of Defense confirmed its payload included two satellites for the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, and the final four Tranche 0 satellites for the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture communications constellation.

Yesterday's launch brings the total number of PWSA satellites to 27, all of which form of the first layer of the military's missile tracking and data transport kit, a.k.a. Tranche 0.

Along with missile tracking, PWSA satellites will provide targeting of objects beyond line-of-site, low-latency data links, improved positioning and navigation services, and encrypted communications.

The missile sensors in HBTSS satellites are also different from those onboard PWSA sats, which SDA director Derek Tournear said will give the Defense Department improved threat visibility.

Reports have indicated the Russian weapon would be designed to take out other satellites, and while Turner has urged President Biden to declassify all information regarding the threat to enable open discussion of a solution, other parties are urging calm and saying the potential weapon isn't necessarily a threat.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/15/pentagon_missile_satellite_network/