Russia destroys defunct satellite in orbit.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a defunct Soviet-era satellite was successfully destroyed in orbit during tests.

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Cosmos 1408 was an electronic and signals intelligence (ELINT) satellite operated by the Soviet Union. It was launched into low Earth orbit on 16 September 1982, replacing Cosmos 1378. These radar images from the Numerica Corporation show the Cosmos 1408 satellite before (left) and after an impact from a Russian anti-satellite test on Nov. 15, 2021 (Picture source: Numerica Corporation)

The ministry said the new US space strategy aims “at creating an all-out military advantage in outer space and, therefore, the Russian Defense Ministry is carrying out planned measures to strengthen the national defense capability.”

“On November 15, the Defense Ministry of Russia successfully conducted a test, in which the Russian defunct Tselina-D satellite in orbit since 1982 was destroyed,” the statement said.

The debris of the Soviet-era satellite posed no threat to orbital stations, satellites and space activity, it said.

“The United States knows for certain that the emerging fragments at the time of the test and in terms of the orbit parameters did not and will not pose any threat to orbital stations, satellites and space activity,” the ministry said.

The satellite’s fragments were entered into the main catalog of the Russian space control system and immediately placed under surveillance until they cease to exist, it said.

“Earlier, such tests in outer space were conducted by the United States, China and India,” the ministry said. It did not specify the weapon which destroyed the satellite.

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