US defence official warns of nuclear risks to satellites in space

Speaking to the US Congress, Plumb outlined the potential impact of deploying nuclear weapons in space. He said that some analysts believe that a nuclear explosion in space, if sufficiently large and strategically placed, could make low Earth orbit inaccessible for a considerable period.

Low Earth orbit extends to an altitude of approximately 2000 kilometres. This region is populated not only by manned space outposts such as the ISS but also hosts the majority of Earth observation satellites. These include satellites used for espionage, surveillance, or communication purposes, like the Iridium satellites or the Starlink constellation.

Answering Mike Turner's question regarding how long this orbit might be unusable, Plumb confidently suggested "it could be as long as a year".

In a written statement, Plumb claimed Russia aims to restrict American space capabilities, alleging that Russian investments in anti-satellite systems are designed to exploit what they perceive as "America's excessive dependence on space for conducting military operations".

Plumb also pointed out that Russia has launched cyber attacks against satellite communication systems, including GPS. “Russia has made it clear through public statements and actions that it views commercial satellites serving its adversaries as legitimate targets,” – he reported in the statement.

The document further highlights concerns over a new Russian project.

"Russia is developing a "concerning anti-satellite capability related to a new satellite carrying a nuclear device that Russia is developing. This capability could pose a threat to all satellites operated by countries and companies around the globe, as well as to the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial, and national security services we all depend upon,", the statement noted.