The Daily An Arms Race Quietly Unfolds in Space
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Feb 28, 2024 
Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times specializing in national security, discusses alarming developments in space warfare. He reveals U.S. concerns about Russia potentially deploying nuclear weapons in orbit and highlights the escalating tension between the U.S. and China. Lipton explains how these nations' advancements in military space capabilities are shaping a new arms race. The conversation digs into the vulnerabilities of U.S. satellites and the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure to maintain military supremacy in space.
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US Military Satellite Vulnerability
- The US military relies heavily on expensive, school-bus-sized satellites in space.
- This system, while powerful, is vulnerable due to the limited number of satellites.
Starlink's Impact on Ukraine War
- Russia struggled to disrupt Ukrainian communication during the invasion.
- Ukraine relied on SpaceX's Starlink satellites, frustrating Russian efforts.
Russian Nuclear Threat in Space
- Russia's potential space nuke isn't technically impossible, echoing 1960s space nuclear tests.
- This act, violating international treaties, could destabilize global security by introducing nuclear weapons into space.