Russian Direct Ascent Anti-satellite Testing Fact Sheet
Since 2010, Russia has been testing technologies for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) in both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) that could support co-orbital ASAT (anti-satellite) capabilities, reflecting ongoing developments in counterspace capabilities and space security. Some of these efforts have links to a Cold War-era LEO co-orbital ASAT program, demonstrating the evolution of space technology and military space capabilities.
Additional evidence suggests Russia may have initiated a new co-orbital ASAT program called Burevestnik, potentially supported by a surveillance and tracking program called Nivelir, raising important considerations for space governance and space policy. The technologies developed by these programs could also be used for non-aggressive applications, including surveilling and inspecting foreign satellites and enhancing space situational awareness, and most of the on-orbit RPO activities conducted to date align with these missions.
However, Russia has deployed two “sub-satellites” at high velocity, suggesting that at least some LEO RPO activities may have a weapons-related component, reinforcing concerns within the broader space security environment. Read more in this fact sheet here.
