This chapter examines the essential role of satellites in both military and civilian contexts, emphasizing their vulnerabilities, especially in light of potential nuclear threats from Russia. It explores the devastating implications of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from a nuclear detonation in space and discusses technological advancements designed to protect satellites from such threats. The chapter also highlights the challenges of identifying weaponized satellites in a crowded orbital environment and the efforts to leverage AI for monitoring and detection.
Mpox is spreading fast across Africa, yet public information campaigns are scant and vaccines in short supply. Is a new pandemic in the offing? Strategists are pondering a new potential threat from Russia: the possibility that it could detonate a nuclear weapon in space (09:42). And an Economist correspondent answers another of your questions about Artificial Intelligence (18:16).
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.