The chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee recently revealed information about a Russian space weapon that is in development.
Rep. Matt Turner (R-OH) called on President Joe Biden to declassify intelligence on the purported weapon, which he called a “serious national security threat.” Russia has since denied the existence of the project and claims the reported intelligence is a “malicious fabrication,” according to Fox News.
Very few details are known about the alleged technology except that it is some type of anti-satellite weapon. It is believed to be either nuclear-powered or nuclear-capable. It is thought to work by releasing a powerful electromagnetic blast that would cripple satellites used for communications and other technologies. Experts believe this type of weapon would not impact GPS and other larger satellites, which are shielded from EMP damage.
An expert who spoke with CNN claimed the weapon would most likely be used to take out clusters of satellites, such as those used for the Starlink system, which have been important tools for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. The use of an EMP weapon could effectively render some orbital paths unusable, as the dead satellites in those orbits would create a dangerous “minefield” where new devices could not be deployed.
While speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, the commander of the German Space Command described the devastating effects such a weapon could create.
“If somebody dares to explode a nuclear weapon in high atmosphere or even space, this would be more or less the end of the usability of that global commons [of orbit],” Maj. Gen. Michael Traut told Politico.
Biden has so far downplayed the seriousness of the weapon and said on Friday that any potential space weapon Russia is developing would not create a nuclear problem on the ground.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that the intelligence community has been monitoring Russia’s development of an anti-satellite weapon for years, according to reporting by CNN.
“Only in recent weeks has the intelligence community been able to assess with a higher sense of confidence exactly how Russia continues to pursue it,” Kirby said.
Turner is now receiving backlash for releasing the information, with some representatives calling for him to be investigated and at least one House member suggesting that the purported intelligence leak was done with ulterior motives.
“In hindsight, it has become clear that the intent was not to ensure the safety of our homeland and the American people, but rather to ensure additional funding for Ukraine and passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) wrote in a letter reported on by Punchbowl News. “This act constituted poor judgment at a minimum and a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda at the maximum.”
An unreleased letter obtained by Politico shows that four outside organizations are calling for Turner to step down from his position as chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
