During a recent discussion at the Munich Security Conference, Major General Michael Traut, the commander of Germany’s military Space Command, addressed the alarming prospect of Russia potentially detonating a nuclear weapon in orbit.
Traut stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that the detonation of a nuclear weapon in space, whether as a ground-based missile or a nuclear-powered spacecraft, would have devastating consequences. He warned of the potential for a satellite-frying electromagnetic pulse that could render low earth orbit unusable and transform thousands of operational satellites into useless debris.
Quoting Traut, “If somebody dares to explode a nuclear weapon in high atmosphere or even space, this would be more or less the end of the usability of that global commons [of orbit].” He emphasized that such an action would be irrational and contrary to the principles outlined in the United Nations’ Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in space.
Traut and Ludwig Möller, the director of the European Space Policy Institute, also highlighted the significant economic repercussions of an attack on commercial satellites. They warned of trillions of dollars in potential losses across sectors such as banking and energy.
The establishment of Germany’s space command and similar initiatives in France and the United Kingdom underscores the growing importance of defending both government and commercial infrastructure in orbit. While countries like China and India are advancing their space technology rapidly, Russia’s actions, particularly in its conflict with Ukraine and its military collaborations with sanctioned states like North Korea and Iran, pose a significant threat.
Despite intelligence indicating Russia’s pursuit of anti-satellite capabilities, White House adviser John Kirby sought to reassure the public by stating that there is currently no immediate threat to safety from space-based weapons. He clarified that these weapons are not designed to attack humans or cause physical destruction on Earth.
Traut’s warning serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with the militarization of space and the urgent need for international cooperation to prevent such catastrophic scenarios.