How would Russia's anti-satellite space weapon work?

Sources tell CBS News the U.S. has been tracking Russia's development of a nuclear-capable anti-satellite weapon in space. Dr. Francesca Giovannini, executive director of the Harvard Belfer Center's Project on Managing the Atom, joins CBS News to discuss how the weapon could work in practice.
CBS News Streaming Network is the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service from CBS News and Stations, available free to everyone with access to the Internet. The CBS News Streaming Network is your destination for breaking news, live events and original reporting locally, nationally and around the globe. Launched in November 2014 as CBSN, the CBS News Streaming Network is available live in 91 countries and on 30 digital platforms and apps, as well as on CBSNews.com and Paramount+.
See more at cbsnews.com/prime-time-with-j...
Subscribe to the CBS News KZbin channel: / cbsnews
Watch CBS News: cbsnews.com/live/
Download the CBS News app: cbsnews.com/mobile/
Follow CBS News on Instagram: / cbsnews
Like CBS News on Facebook: / cbsnews
Follow CBS News on Twitter: / cbsnews
Subscribe to our newsletters: cbsnews.com/newsletters/
Try Paramount+ free: paramountplus.com/home/?ftag=...
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@ericp1139]

Pretty impressive for a country supposedly relying on only refrigerator and washing machine parts. And shovels.

[@kaleeysmith8801]

shovels getting rusted, ordering new ones from china.

[@pat-orl]

Yes amazing they have an idea for a weapon but haven't been able to get it working or in space

[@ericp1139]

@@pat-orl scary enough for the US to panic, it seems.

[@pat-orl]

@@ericp1139 media being media

[@deeboy7448]

Thats CUBA

[@anaeusrex2014]

Translation: Forget about the economy and that you can't afford food, because we'll scare you with Russia again.

[@Airbender-kl7cu]

Yep

[@close_all_tabs]

You guys can't afford food?

[@2010hyundaielantra]

@@close_all_tabs well we can but it's not good food

[@anaeusrex2014]

@@close_all_tabs We aren't all trust fund kids in America, that's the movies. Glad you're having a great time, though.

[@close_all_tabs]

@@anaeusrex2014 I'm not having a great time.

[@eek412]

How about we stop effing with Russia

[@close_all_tabs]

What do you mean by effing with Russia. Russia says they are winning - big time! - the collective West is crumbling and Russia hasn't even started yet. In fact, Russia's economy is growing and became the bestest in Europe. .... trust me , bruh. TASS wouldn't lie to us.

[@xposelies2417]

Russia is effing with itself

[@wubblersswubblerss4822]

yeah just let dictators walk all over us coward

[@poloska9471]

@@xposelies2417you are about as special as they come, I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist, I don’t normally pick on the you know…

[@poloska9471]

@@wubblersswubblerss4822you have got to be kidding me 😂🤣🤦‍♂️

[@Benjamin-hg018]

How is it, because CNN and the SUN say that the Russians do not have weapons and fight only with shovels?!😂

[@MikeHunt-no2kt]

Western leaders are destroying their own countries intentionally, and Putin is playing for keeps. This won't end well.

[@larisaganich5767]

Bullying Russia will hardly ensure US security. Confrontation will only benefit the military industrial complex.

[@elenagalieva5037]

Yes, it looks like chips from washing machines and refrigerators work wonders.😂 From Russia with love😘

[@raakbas1]

I thought of that too. Had a good laugh.😂😂😂😂😂

[@jamesb2291]

Must be the Russian intergalactic nuclear space missiles ABC warned us about yesterday

[@jman6178]

So,how many remember Ronald Reagon speaking of near fiture weapons called Star Wars?

[@user-pc1vk2ku2n]

Kinetic not nuclear

[@hdcomputerkeith]

YEP old news with anew twist. Iam 57 so yes indeed i rem! so usa could have them any way! after all we are the 1st into every thing!

[@kennychad2821]

These "nuclear" satellites can be an excellent platform for a first strike capability for an EMP. $20 says it's up there already and the Chinese are probably very close too.

[@CIS101]

Right - and if I remember correctly the Russians objected to that.

[@eileenahern-ku9nx]

​@@kennychad2821 - I don't but it's interesting ❤

[@lindafreeman50]

I like how Blinken had to clarify who was the president. He remembered he has to say Biden

[@danmaddox2187]

Nearly said Obama 😂

[@kool2493]

😂😂😂 bye dung

[@johnforrest9174]

this "story' is 40 years old.

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

And what happened? After that

[@weldmin4818]

​@@user-xu9vy2uh8nwe spent a ton of money on the military.

[@cyberfunk3793]

There have been nuclear weapons in orbit, minutes away from US cities?

[@notastone4832]

@@cyberfunk3793 i remember when the russians accused the USA of putting nukes in orbit with the X37-B :) to be fair, they could be right.

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@notastone4832 So what? There is a treaty in place now that forbids weapons in space.

[@joshuaa9513]

A nuclear powered space microwave. It also cooks popcorn.

[@rebeljtown2071]

With butter.

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

😂😂😂 hi

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Yes with Butter and milk 🇺🇸🤗🫂

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

I mean, You drink the milk 🇺🇸🤗🫂

[@ryanjohnson3615]

This oughta get NASA and Spaceforce some funding...

[@alexlang2086]

You got a good point there mate! Those 2 branches will get a lot of money for sure! How quickly for things to turn to hell if he destroys a few key satellites?

[@fresh6993]

Warmongers

[@zacharyhickman5553]

Thats what it's always been about.

[@stephaniebanville171]

Exactly

[@garettdoornwaard4822]

Usa-"we have a space force! Look! We have a logo!" Russia-"wow! Thats really cool, sport! You draw that yourself?"

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Time for the truth, altought i think i know it, i'm a child

[@user-dk4je8kg6v]

Well done Putin. Sanctions and what now? - The Russian economy ranks 5th among countries in the world and 1st among Europe in terms of GDP in PPP countries, which in 2023 is estimated at $5.51 trillion (according to the IMF). In terms of nominal GDP ($2.215 trillion in 2022), Russia ranked 8th in the world and 4th in Europe (according to the IMF). Isn't Russia a gas station?

[@goranbras4767]

Pa jeste benzinska pumpa ali nije više jeftina benzinska pumpa ,sad pumpaju malo i za sebe 😂 a ne samo za Nemce !

[@dreamer6508]

When you poke the bear, he might poke back

[@xposelies2417]

So that’s why the bear poked itself?

[@X9xredgkoa]

you keep commenting the same bs under every comment, bot

[@Pinkielover]

we already have stuff in space that can destroy stuff on the ground already, nothing new

[@SewTubular]

Likely does not destroy anything on the ground, but blocks GPS signals from working. So no GPS guided weapons will work.

[@micaiahm1]

They making up backstory for this fable on how the (fictional) weapon would work? 🧐

[@evan6034]

Bro You better start facing reality this shift is real 😢 or else they would not be so worried...

[@windmillrespector]

@@evan6034They just want funding. You don’t need and EMP or nuclear weapons to knock out satellites. This technology already exist.

[@UR2Compliant]

When they say “don’t panic“, or “there’s nothing to worry about“, that’s when you panic and worry!

[@isaiahdenver4224]

Right?!?

[@jondough4682]

You should have started worrying the minute Biden took office.

[@samnur6709]

@@jondough4682 gotem that was a good one....c'mon man.

[@crecasens]

@@jondough4682 - no we’d be worried if Trump was still in office because he is a Putin fan girl and would allow him to do any and everything he wants. I don’t know what delusion you’re living!

[@UR2Compliant]

@@jondough4682 Who says I didn't

[@rasul407]

Listening to this lady I am convinced that I can become a political commentator since I generate much more knowledge than her

[@close_all_tabs]

by posting on YT you ARE already a political commentator. Just not a smart one.

[@Kedatgahbelu12]

@@close_all_tabs did you type that up yourself or did you use an AI to make the comment for yourself?

[@Kedatgahbelu12]

I have known a stray cat that is more intelligent than many people in the USA. Soon a goldfish will be more intelligent than the average us residents. That is a shame befallen on us all.

[@close_all_tabs]

@@Kedatgahbelu12 Wow. Insulting random people on the internet. How original. I don't even need to ask you what ya did on V-day. BTW, I'm done with your mom. You can come pick her up now.

[@rasul407]

@@Kedatgahbelu12 😂 right?

[@onehorsetown3434]

Hopefully is doesn’t have lasers that beam down and melt innocent people just trying to survive the only life they have. That would be horrible.

[@yetikins4419]

Why did it suspiciously sound like that exactly what you want lol...

[@palmapechy7439]

Boy, you hit it on the head. DEcades ago they told on European TV exactly that: laser from space and it's nuke powered. This Russian gadget is no news, just hype.

[@SewTubular]

Too expensive for something that would really serve no purpose. This is an anti-satellite weapon that is powered by nuclear energy. ( my guess is that this a jamming weapon to be used during times of war, that would make all GPS guided weapons useless )

[@issasn82]

Not innocent people, freedom loving people

[@utrian4148]

Best question of today: "Is it fusion or fission?"

[@dinosaurdude5668]

Answer of course is Fission (go to 3:30). Fusion is more of a dream than anything at this point.

[@utrian4148]

@@dinosaurdude5668 In case You missed it: it was a citation.

[@diamanteduul8084]

@@dinosaurdude5668Hydrogen bombs (most modern nukes) use fusion. Humans can do fusion, just not in a controllable manner to get sustainable energy from it. You don't need to control it for a bomb though 😂

[@uchennaabosi7651]

A people living under the perpetual menace of war and invasion is very easy to govern. It demands no social reform. It does not haggle over expenditures for armaments and military equipment. It pays without discussion, it ruins itself, and that is an excellent thing for the syndicates of financiers and manufacturers for whom patriotic terrors are an abundant source of gain. (Anatole France)

[@FelixTruvere]

I sure would like to follow more of your comments.

[@johnmcentegart007]

That is some serious intellect.

[@sportszone9159]

IRAQ Also had weapons did you heard that story before? 😂😂😂

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

😂😂😂😂

[@leannevandekew1996]

It uses a stolen Swedish traffic camera and Russian chick pea.

[@Kedatgahbelu12]

😂😂😂 good guess but you are wrong. The Russian are actually lifting a laundry machines from the 1990s to the orbit and deploying them as anti satellite. But I also heard some rumors, that some shovels are being lifted to the orbit, hoping it would be effective as they are in the battle fields of Ukraine. 😂😂😂

[@djprentowalker8878]

Isn’t this the same Russia we constantly being told they can’t afford gun for their troops 👀

[@LUISNEVESable]

USA should be interested in feeding and housing is people and taking care of the border…

[@_Bruno_Cesar_]

Is this the answer to Putin's interview?

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

No

[@jparkhku]

Just sounds like a timely distraction to Tucker's Putin interview

[@jan_darysh]

What is the problem? We in the United States are doing the same thing. Only people who care are the millionaires who are behind the scenes.

[@NightGothBaal]

Do you have supersonic nuclear weapons in the US? Yeah. Don't be ridiculous!

[@CIS101]

The guest speaker is making sense. Most of us should know that relatively small kinetic weapons are more than enough to disable or destroy most satellites. Doesn't Russia also have satellites ? Well two can play this game right ?

[@tuffytoys9707]

! Quick inform the Justice League!! Holy Smokes Batman! What exactly are these Politicians smoking???

[@Tom6649-pt7js]

good question a lot are smoking bidens BH tootsie rolls tho

[@thomaspetersen9991]

The Aliens Will NOT allow this

[@CertifiedFascist]

F15 anti satellite weapon in the corner: hold my beer

[@Tomorrison28]

This is old tech. Why is the media running this story so much lately?

[@SewTubular]

So who made the "old" nuclear powered anti-satellite tech ? ( it's not a bomb or missile, but most likely an extremely powerful signal jammer )

[@rogeralvarado6060]

Russia you do what you gotta do

[@roadrunner6081]

When the government tells you everything is fine, nothing to worry about here.... LOL

[@Tom6649-pt7js]

It probably would work similar to the ones deployed by the Americans 25 years ago

[@atahonoel2005]

So you know better than your government or are u burying your head in the sand

[@Tom6649-pt7js]

pull your head out of your not sand @@atahonoel2005

[@kabzaify]

Like America has hypersonic missiles

[@IsaacMuntz]

Sure buddy sure whatever helps you sleep better 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jacquelinesilvers5267]

LOL!! Why don’t you ask him, Putin. He is a friendly guy willing to talk peace with anyone who wants to listen. Might be a good idea to get down to the truth for a change.

[@immortalboy7741]

Because there’s no money in peace

[@close_all_tabs]

"He is a friendly guy" lol

[@geargeekpdx3566]

OK Boris we'll let you know

[@xposelies2417]

So even though he doesn’t want to talk, they should force him to talk?

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Show the truth i agree, SEE this situation is not getting any better and keeps Gooing worse and worse

[@dawg929]

I was going to say sanction Russia, but that card has burnt out😂

[@Bofia817]

A giant gas station, is causing havoc… 😂

[@jaspalsingh2121]

Should the *freedom loving people* , also pay attention to who *actually* runs the US Gov't, from behind a very thinly veiled curtain?

[@Addi_Teacha509]

✡️

[@geargeekpdx3566]

Yes Boris, seed that hatred, you will not go to Ukrainian front if Trumpski gets back in comrade

[@stephaniebanville171]

Precisely

[@PrestigePotato]

Yes we should expose the irradiated mongoose vampires! why is no one talking about this?? Hello???

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Hmmmm

[@Ceocanin]

So Russia is going to lunch shovels in space

[@leave3386]

What you all thought P. Was bluffing when in a interview He said we have technology and weapons no one knows about..or has.

[@lherisknowledge4fun]

In deed he said it.

[@alexlaroque5108]

Remember when the media mocked Trump for creating Space Force?😅

[@dragonfly788]

Talk about looney tunes, American media loaded with garbage

[@ReyFive-ef2nw]

Your guest should speak understandable English 😂😂😂

[@marechuber]

Its probably full of marbles

[@fresh6993]

Jealousy is a disease

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

@@fresh6993 Yeah… Ruzzia is jealous of NATO’s successes

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

😂

[@mpekawoods]

US put military base around the world... Russia put nukes in space!!! 😂🤣

[@derchozenvun83]

I have to say, it will be nice to finally have some privacy. Invest in board games.

[@captmrgn7040]

We’re totally safe with FJB! at the helm.

[@girthbrooks-lk9cq]

Lol

[@ithinkthonkthunk5333]

space meaning the ocean? They just unveiled a nuclear powered sub 😂

[@emeraldcitydreamz]

I heard there’s a guy who interviewed Putin. Maybe get a interview and ask him.

[@close_all_tabs]

There was no "interview"

[@theinstructor7578]

Crazy the way they portrayed it in the movie Leave The World Behind. First Tier knock out satellite and internet communication Second Tier knock out infrastructure Electricity Water systems and The Third Tier will take care of itself. Everyone will turn on each other for survival.

[@unvaccinatedAndPureBlood]

How about focusing on China who are a much more of a danger?

[@roberte.6892]

how about focusing on both. Geopolitically, Russia is a far greater threat to the U.S.

[@MrWhitmen1981]

American is 💪 to do both

[@user-iv7ju3oi2d]

​@roberte.6892 so this is the end

[@Alobster1]

How about focusing on not going to war with anybody? Why are we so paranoid about China or Russia attacking us if it wouldn't be in the best interest of either side?

[@AB-fi5jt]

Why?

[@ryuli1]

Yea I'd assume it to work like their hypersonic weapons.

[@louisfoley6955]

2:35 isn't this the exact plot of "Leave the World Behind" holy shi-!!

[@kingphilwill]

Almost like we may need a space military or something....

[@ab.7272]

They work the same as the American ones...

[@brunovalentine61]

😂😂what made my day is the statement about freedom loving ppl. Talk of a conflict in the world today and either America 🇺🇸 has direct involvement, supporting militarily, financial or American companies are supporting the war to get raw materials cheaply from the chaos of war like its the case in Eastern DRC

[@aeugbeshe]

Stay on the edge Russia! You are really great! It's amazing how NATO with three super powers cannot defeat Russia in Ukraine

[@PrestigePotato]

3 years into the 3 day special operation: we have captured six houses in our advances, please clap

[@7vvee]

Thanks bro

[@elmerkilred159]

It won't work if you don't let it into orbit.

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Hmmmm maybe not

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Either side worKs

[@Ibrian8888]

What about’ STAR WARS’?…..Reagan

[@charlenetruncer1535]

We do not have it developed into a big enough shield to cover our entire country.

[@Tom6649-pt7js]

exactly spot on

[@timbrown8038]

First they would crank up the telephone and then tune the rabbit ears for precise communication.

[@JamesBond-sr7fw]

So what happened with all the money we spent in the early 80’s for Star Wars and Reagan? Boy did we push for that.

[@Joshuaeway03]

It is a Electric magnetic weapon, Not a Nuclear weapon

[@pillkaka5320]

Bravo russia keep up the good work the world needs more development like this

[@politicsuncensored5617]

It seems CBS & censorship of comments go together. Shalom

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

I'm guessing this is why Trump started space force

[@rasul407]

Space force was starters under Obama

[@nigeljohnson9820]

No, that's the result of Trump watching children's television cartoons. He thinks they are documentaries.

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

@@nigeljohnson9820 so we shouldn't have space force?

[@nigeljohnson9820]

@@RichardMiller-tq6ut not the cartoon version envisaged by Trump.

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

@nigeljohnson9820 envisaged? Are you really claiming to know what someone else thinks or feels? And ridiculing and condemning him for it nonetheless. Where is this behavior coming from?

[@ebb_]

With shovels?

[@tajeshkalia1293]

If it wasn't a threat why would you address it to the public then?

[@louiseislam6985]

I am listening and watching from Bangladesh. i hope, Allah may protect human civilization from nuclear destruction.

[@jwellsmediainc.4593]

I see Anthony Blinken so much I beginning to think he is the ‘real’ president.

[@LovelyDalmatian-ft6sh]

😂😂 how about the elderly man loosing his mind instead

[@powerkingez9682]

are they talking about the s500? because that thing has been in use since like 2021 whit the russian space force

[@pwani4k178]

From using micro chips from refrigrators to building space nukes..😂😂😂bro western media is confusing us

[@johnw1328]

Here’s how it would work…they would detect satellites and blow the hell out of them. Does anyone think they don’t have that capability now?!!

[@MuantanamoMobile]

Likely disrupt or disable rather than blow them up (as the Kessler Effect would also affect their own sateliites)...and they can already do that with ground based systems. But we have the Boeing X-37, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, which is our reusable robotic spacecraft, that can be used to takeout their satellites, so this is most likely their counter to this.

[@GotoHere]

Good thing we have a dementia patient as president, who couldn’t read the nuclear launch codes correctly if our lives depended on it.

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

I'm tired of usa, better live in Russia than usa

[@blksbth1]

Remember people belly-laughing at Trump’s push for a Space Force? Still laughing now?

[@rockefeller1787]

this anti-satellite weapon will absolutely change the game plan and strategy of ware fare... its going to strip away some capabilities

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

If You nuke all satellite with atomic warfare, You can't, You would need to make need satellites, and they Will be destroyer again and then i don't know

[@weqe2278]

The range of possibilities lie somewhere between the use of the electromagnetic pulse and the use of the electromagnetic pulse. What it could do is turn everything off at once. People are lacking basic education. Obviously, we'll never know the details.

[@research1586]

. A BB gun in space could DESTROY a SATELLITE

[@imthebadguy3225]

Oh no, not space nukes? I must send my money to Ukraine, right away! 😱

[@danthesquirrel]

If it is based on their moon lander technology maybe it crashes into something? Even if the explosives turn out to be potatoes it would still have mass.

[@darkguardian1314]

Nukes in space are an issue if a country loses control of its weapon system due to technical malfunction or hacking. A nuke doesn't need to be close to release an EMP to scramble satellites indiscriminately. With control lose, collisions are more likely to happen leading to Kessler syndrome. It's one thing to use nuclear power and propulsion and another to set off an explosion causing undue damage. There is research into ways to make EMP weapons that don't require setting off a bomb.

[@close_all_tabs]

We need to keep in mind that Russia had no control over its Lunar-25

[@bufferzone3247]

So who... created and wrote the space rules? I'm guessing USA? Does USA own space real estate? Now let's ask Russia, instead of guessing and assuming.

[@johnso2399]

How would Russia's anti-satellite space weapon work? Answer: by employing chips recycled from washing machines.

[@michaelasamoah2390]

I love the Italian english...for once I thought I was in Milan lol

[@sequfow]

When will humanity move past the age of destruction and move towards the age of creation.

[@Ian.549]

They can't even get it right to fly to the moon.

[@Smallelk]

I would need to make MEGA size orgonite. I only make large enough for my own home to ward off EMF.

[@ryanjohnson3615]

Careful, that sure makes it easy to transcendentally see into your house. How do you put up with all those cats???

[@PatrickDubek]

I’m sure it’ll be a success. They’re so successful at everything. The world wishes them well.

[@shonnspencer1162]

You can thank Elon and his internet satellites. This is a direct counter measure to remove the Ukrainian abilities to leverage gorilla warfare with drones etc. it’s an EMP weapon it would destroy all circuitry.

[@theinstructor7578]

Has anyone seen the movie Leave the World Behind? Scary stuff.

[@katherineercanbrack3424]

And or dark shadows😢

[@jamesw7397]

The president has no focus. He can't remember what happened 10 min ago.

[@capturejay3079]

Humans with no Satellite.....

[@SuburbanDon]

There was a time when countries only had to worry about who had bigger battleships.

[@user-xu9vy2uh8n]

Yes 10000000000 years ago, the monkeys fighting

[@frixospolykarpou2711]

I wonder what would happen around November election

[@papoflores8515]

Man still wont learn from the past wars the smart build nuclear bombs wow how smart😢

[@notme5909]

My guess is that it is an EMP device..