Star Wars: is Russian mystery object in space inspector or satellite killer?
Earlier this year, Russia launched a mysterious object into space. Recent orbital maneuvers of "Object 2014-28E" have raised concerns that the satellite may be utilized as a space weapon. It was launched along with three military communications satellites, but not declared as part of the launch. The object was originally thought to be space junk, but over the past several weeks satellite trackers have watched it perform a number of interesting maneuvers.
On November 17, 2014, Financial Times reported that the object’s movements are stoking fears over the revival of a defunct Kremlin project, “Istrebitel Sputnikov” (Satellite Killer). Russia previously scrapped this anti-satellite weaponry program, but its military officials have publicly stated that they would restart research in the event of a deterioration in relations with the US. Oleg Ostapenko, General Director of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said that as of 2010, Russia was again developing “inspection” and “strike” satellites.
