#Politics There's speculation on X that the "threat" may be that #Russia is planning to deploy nuclear weapons in orbit.
That would be a violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, Article IV.
"States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner." (1/x)
https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html
#Politics I can't stress how incredibly destabilizing that would be. As far as we know, no nation has done that -- not us, not China, and certainly not #Russia.
Every spacefaring nation abides by the Outer Space Treaty. To violate it in such a blatant manner would make Russia an international pariah in the space community. I think it would end the #ISS partnership, and it might cause China to rethink their space alliance with Russia.
I still think it's the hypersonic missile. We'll see. (2/2)
@WordsmithFL
And a hypersonic missile would still be a weapon of mass destruction and against the treaty.
If Russia deploys a Nuclear weapon as an ASAT. it is a sign of desperation. There is so many things wrong with the idea, as well how easily it is able to detect, and using it could cripple space industry and international commerce
that is if it even works. after 5 or 10 years it might not even be reliable enough to be used, and now you just wasted a nuclear warhead and is fissionable materials
not saying they wouldn't do it either
@WordsmithFL
That's what I meant, but I misinterpreted the mention of hypersonic earlier thinking that it was either a nuclear or hypersonic launched up into space.
@FireMonkey Only if the hypersonic missile is deployed or launched from "space," which by international standards is above 100 km (62 miles).