US says Russia likely launched anti-satellite weapon
bbc.com
bbc.com
The worry with physically destroying satellites is the amount of debris created could rapidly realize the Kessler Syndrome which in turn could prohibit humanity from launching into space.
It does depend how you physically destroy the satellite, but slamming something into the target satellite to destroy it is the easiest thing to do than latching on and deorbiting the target. A kinetic destruction approach is probably repeatable whereas deorbiting probably destroys the aggressor satellite as well.
Some policymakers are increasingly scared of this, but everyone is now in a zero sum arms race globally.
It's not just big countries/blocs like the US, Russia, China, NATO+, or India that have these capabilities, but now regional powers like Iran, North Korea, Turkiye, UAE, Saudi, Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, etc.
40 years ago, only 2 countries could build nuclear submarines - now ~50 can.
30 years ago, only 2 countries could build 4th gen fighter jets - now ~10 can.
It takes 2 regional powers to enter a tussle that spirals into a semi-global war (eg. Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Myanmar Civil War, Syrian Civil War, Sudanese Civil War, Ethiopian Civil War, DRC Civil War, Libyan Civil War, etc)
not to say foreign powers aren't involved and games are being played in capitals. but I don't see Ethiopia launching full-spectrum political / social media / grass roots influence campaigns in DC, while launching mercenary campaigns on different continents.
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-fails-rival-un-bid-nucl...
Like lasers and maybe close passby electromagnetic impulses.
The article indicates that the new Russian satellite is itself a weapon.
There are multiple different types of ASAT platforms, and every country is in the process is building similar programs out now that the Big 4 are in an arms race.
US builds means Russia and China builds means India builds means ....
We're living the Dreadnought War 2.0