Just before the Russian-Ukrainian war reached its two-year milestone today, U.S. intelligence agencies warned that Russia might aim a nuclear weapon at an unusual target: not any place on Earth, but satellites orbiting in space.
It’s also a risk to the space economy — and the one on the ground.
There is a little-known but fast-growing industry that insures satellites, but it doesn’t provide insurance against nuclear arms.
What’s at stake: hundreds of billions (and probably trillions) of dollars when including the services that rely on satellites, according to David Wade, an underwriter at the Atrium Space Insurance Consortium, which insures satellites for Lloyd’s.
The Russian weapon is said to be designed to target satellites in low Earth orbit, where most commercial satellites operate.
Persons:
It’s, What’s, David Wade
Organizations:
Atrium Space Insurance Consortium, NASA
Locations:
Russian, Russia