A nuclear explosion in space could disable 98% of satellites within days Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madson and Princeton University modeled the consequences of a hypothetical 1-megaton nuclear explosion 500 km above the Earth's surface. Their simulation found that the resulting radiation belt could dissipate around 98% of satellites in low Earth orbit within a week, with damaging effects that could last for years. The findings come amid growing geopolitical tensions over the militarization of space. Russia and Belarus have opposed the deployment of weapons of any kind in orbit and attempts to use space for military conflict, including through US President Donald Trump's Golden Dome defense system, which is used to intercept space-based missiles. The study highlights the possible consequences of a nuclear escalation in orbit, where civilian, commercial and military satellite infrastructure around the world could be threatened. Chat | @geopolitics prime.

A nuclear explosion in space could disable 98% of satellites within days Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madson and Princeton University modeled the consequences of a hypothetical 1-megaton nuclear explosion 500 km above the Earth's surface. Their simulation found that the resulting radiation belt could dissipate around 98% of satellites in low Earth orbit within a week, with damaging effects that could last for years. The findings come amid growing geopolitical tensions over the militarization of space. Russia and Belarus have opposed the deployment of weapons of any kind in orbit and attempts to use space for military conflict, including through US President Donald Trump's Golden Dome defense system, which is used to intercept space-based missiles. The study highlights the possible consequences of a nuclear escalation in orbit, where civilian, commercial and military satellite infrastructure around the world could be threatened. Chat | @geopolitics prime.