WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Britain are accusing Russia of threatening the peaceful use of outer space by launching a projectile from a satellite.
U.S. Space Command calls the July 15 event a “non-destructive test” of an anti-satellite weapon.
Private analysts say the U.S. concern appears justified, although the intended use of this system is not known.
In Moscow, the Defense Ministry says “a small space vehicle” was used simply to inspect a national satellite “from a close distance using special equipment.”
The State Department's top arms control official, Christopher Ford, says the incident shows that Russia has in-orbit weaponry against satellites.
