The Nivelir system deploys smaller satellites from a main craft, with at least one firing a high-velocity projectile during a 2020 test, indicating offensive capability against other satellites.
US officials view these developments as a provocation, noting Nivelir satellites have maneuvered near US assets since 2019 after initial tests began in 2013, raising concerns about space security.
Which poses a greater threat to global satellites: Russian space weapons or vulnerable ground-based cyber infrastructure?
How can we distinguish peaceful satellite servicing from a disguised anti-satellite weapon preparing to attack?
What are the proposed 'left of launch' options to neutralize a nuclear anti-satellite weapon before it's used?
How would a 'space Pearl Harbor' immediately cripple civilian GPS, internet access, and global financial systems?
Does doubling US space defense spending deter conflict or simply accelerate a dangerous and costly arms race?
With the 1967 space treaty obsolete, what viable framework can prevent a full-blown arms race in orbit?
The Rising Danger of Russian Co-Orbital ASATs: Close-Proximity Maneuvers and the Risk of Kessler Syndrome
Overview
By early 2026, U.S. Space Command confirmed that Russia's co-orbital anti-satellite systems, developed through the long-running Nivelir program, are fully operational. These satellites, including Cosmos 2588, have repeatedly maneuvered dangerously close to critical U.S. reconnaissance satellites, demonstrating advanced capabilities like deploying sub-satellites and complex proximity operations. Russia’s strategy aims to counter U.S. space superiority by denying satellite support through multi-domain tactics, including electronic warfare and nuclear ASAT development. These activities have heightened international tensions, prompting the U.S. to enhance space domain awareness, harden satellites, and develop offensive counterspace measures. The risks of debris generation and accidental collisions threaten the sustainability of space, while diplomatic efforts face deadlock amid competing approaches to space weapon regulation.