Cryptic intelligence reports this week of Russia building an unspecified nuclear space weapon stoked fear among Americans who worried escalating nuclear threats could mean global catastrophe is near.
Experts on space security and the risks posed by nuclear weapons told Business Insider that rumors of Russia creating such a weapon are likely true but that it's not time to panic just yet.
NPR reported the White House confirmed that Russia is working on a weapon that could threaten satellites in space but that nothing has been deployed.
However, Russia has been developing anti-satellite weapons for years, John Erath, senior policy director at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, told BI.
But that's where this gets a little bit complicated because a nuclear weapon isn't really that."
Persons:
US —, John Erath, They've, they've, Erath, Victoria Samson, Samson
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Service, Business, CNN, NPR, White House, Soviet Union, US, Center for Arms Control, Prime, Station, Hubble, SpaceX, GPS, Starfish, Secure, Foundation
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