X-ray satellites could be used to check for nuclear weapons in space

ThinkOrbital is developing an orbital maintenance craft with x-ray capabilities, which could allow the US military to take a look inside Chinese and Russian satellites.

ThinkOrbital, a space-tech manufacturing startup, is working on the development of an in-orbit service and maintenance (ISAM) craft featuring a robotic arm with welding capabilities. The startup recently completed a successful test of the electron beam welder that will be installed on the planned craft.

The proposed craft will also feature x-ray capabilities, something the US is particularly interested in, with ThinkOrbital having been selected alongside several other companies to collaborate with NASA on the provision of commercial space capabilities.

With spacefaring nations understandably seeking to ensure secrecy around their space-based military assets, a satellite with x-ray capabilities would offer a significant advantage. The US has recently made claims that Russia is seeking to develop satellites armed with nuclear weapons.

Traditional methods for inspecting the satellites of space-faring adversaries are as simple as detection via radar or images taken on a close-approach by another satellite. This does little to reveal what is concealed within the satellite however, which is likely where any nuclear weapons put into orbit would be stored.

There are fears that not only Russia, but also China, are advancing their space-based warfare capabilities with recent claims made by NASA that China is disguising counterspace weapons as part of its commercial space industry. The ability to assess the internal components of other nations’ satellites would help the US in clarifying their nature and give a better understanding of where the US stands in what appears to be a race to be war-ready in space.

Lee Rosen, Co-Founder of ThinkOrbital, noted: “Potentially this would give us the ability to look inside satellites to see what’s in there. Given the recent Russian launch of what we suspect is a nuclear weapon on board a satellite as a counterspace weapon, the government is very interested in this.”

Both China and Russia deny claims that they are developing counterspace weapons and have called for a ban on the deployment of all weapons in space, although Russia used its veto power to block a proposal to ban the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.       

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, was critical of Russia’s decision to veto the resolution, stating:

“President Putin himself has said publicly that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space. So today’s veto begs the question: Why? Why, if you are following the rules, would you not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What could you possibly be hiding? It’s baffling and it is a shame.”

Jill McGuire, Associate Director for Exploration and In-Space Services at NASA, will speak at The Space Logistics Conference, taking place September 26 – 27, on the development of technologies for in-space servicing and space infrastructure.