The Pentagon confirmed that six satellites, including ones with advanced missile tracking technology, were successfully launched into orbit Wednesday — a day after alarming US intel revealed Russia wants to put nuclear weapons in space to target Western satellites.
Two of those satellites will buttress the Missile Defense Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program and the other four are configured for tracking spacecraft.
The launch, which was conducted by one of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in coordination with the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), comes against the backdrop of elevated concerns about Russia’s growing nuclear capabilities.
“This launch represents a pivotal time for MDA as we enter a new phase of missile warning, tracking and defense,” Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of MDA said.
“These HBTSS satellites are an essential step forward in our efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries.”
The military has been working to bolster its ability to track advanced weapons that can blast past Mach 5, or hypersonic speed.
Since April 2023, SDA has sent at least 27 into orbit as part of the initiative, including eight for detecting missiles and 19 for communications, per the announcement. It plans to have at least 161 satellites to support its mission.
On Wednesday, House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) sent shockwaves throughout the beltway with an unspecified, but cryptic threat against US national security.
“Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat,” he said in a statement.
Turner did not divulge specifics, but multiple reports described it as “highly concerning and destabilizing.”
Although unconfirmed, the threat is believed to pertain to Russian plans to deploy some sort of nuclear technology into space that could potentially be weaponized against satellites, according to ABC News.
That rumored technology is not believed to have been deployed yet.
Military officials eschewed any mention of the uproar over Russia’s rumored space technology in the announcement of the satellites.
“Launching our Tracking satellites into the same orbit with the MDA HBTSS satellites is a win for both agencies,” Derek Tournear, director of SDA, said.
“We’ll be able to look at test targets from the same orbit at the same time so that we can see how the two sensors work together.”
The White House appeared caught off guard by Turner’s ominous warning.
“I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said during a press briefing Wednesday.
House Intelligence ranking member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) also diminished the threat, which he called “significant,” but “not a cause for panic.”
Sullivan was slated to meet on Thursday with Turner and at least three other members of the Gang of Eight, the group of congressional leaders who get classified briefings from the administration.