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Space
Space
Science
Tereza Pultarova

Shoebox-sized 'detector satellites' could sniff out a nuclear bomb in space

A Russian Soyuz-2.1a rocket launches the Kosmos-2553 satellite from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on February 5, 2022.

A constellation of cubesats fitted with special detectors could sniff out nuclear weapons hidden on satellites launched by adversary nations, according to a new study.

In 2024, rumors began to swirl in military circles that Russia might be developing a space-borne nuclear weapon. At that time, two years into the war in Ukraine, Russia was well aware of how big a lifeline SpaceX's Starlink broadband constellation had been for the Ukrainians. Starlink has not only provided connectivity to ravaged cities and frontline troops but also helped Ukrainians counter-attack the Russian invaders more effectively.

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