New US Space Force unit created to shoot down enemy satellites
The US Space Force has initiated the creation of a specialized unit – the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (ISRS) to counter potential space threats from other countries, writes Gizmodo.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. The primary mission of the ISRS is to target enemy space forces’ satellites and ground stations, as well as to counter threats from space forces of other nations.
The Space Force also unveiled the squadron’s emblem, which is meant to symbolize the potential collapse of any enemy targeted by the ISRS.
There was growing concern about China’s space achievements, including its orbiting space station and plans for a manned lunar mission. In 2007, China demonstrated its capabilities by using an anti-satellite missile to destroy one of its own inactive satellites.
Russia conducted a similar test in 2021. In response, the United States proposed its own ban on anti-satellite weapons in September 2022 and called on other countries to follow suit. However, China was quick to criticize this call, and its Ministry of National Defense expressed concern about the potential impact of the U.S. Space Force on space security and global strategic stability.
The creation and activation of the ISRS by the Space Force, the sixth branch of the U.S. armed forces, is a clear signal of the militarization of Earth orbit and the U.S. intention to protect its interests in space.