U.S. and U.K. accuse Russia of firing new weapon into space

• Russia has been accused of firing a potential weapon into space, as part of a new testing regime
• Both the U.S. and the U.K. have expressed concerns about the recent tests undertaken by Moscow
• The two countries argue the projectiles have the capability to knock out other countries satellites, and have labelled them “wepaons”
• But, Russia said the projectiles weren’t fired to bring down satellites, but instead to check them for damage
• Both Russia and the U.S., as well as China and India, are leading the new space race, which involves designing weapons

Russia has been accused of firing a weapon into space, which could target other countries satellites.

The weapon like projectile was fired earlier this month as part of tests being carried out by Moscow, though the reasons for the tesing are debateble.

The U.S. argues Russia is trying to perfect technology that would allow it to knock other country’s satellites out of space, greatly disrupting their communication abilities.

“This is further evidence of Russia’s continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems and consistent with the Kremlin’s published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold US and allied space assets at risk,” said U.S. Space Command Head Gen Jay Raymond.

America has raised concerns about Russia’s actions in space for some time now, however, the recent tests have drawn the ire of another leading nation, the U.K.

Britain has condemend the “potential weapons”, and said they pose a threat to the entire world.

“Actions like this threaten the peaceful use of space and risk causing debris that could pose a threat to satellites and the space systems on which the world depends,” said UK’s Space Directorate Harvey Smyth.

But, Russia has dismissed the criticism, by stating it was using new technology to check on its own satellite systems in space.

In a recent statement, the Russian Ministry of Defence said the projectile aimed to examine the condition of its satellites.

“During testing of the latest space technology, one of the domestic satellites was examined close up using the specialised equipment of small space craft,” the Ministry said.

Regardless of the intent, both the U.S. and the U.K. are concerned about the rapid advancement of Russia’s space technology.

Moscow is one of four countries who have the capability to create so-called space weapons. The other three countries are the U.S., China and India.