the us space command (us space command - usspacecom) reported on the next test of an anti-satellite interception missile (direct-ascent anti - satellite-da-asat) made by russia on december 16, 2020 from the plesetsk missile range. The Ministry of defense of Russia on the start-up was not reported.
Render image, presumably, of the mobile launcher P222 of the long-range echelon (product 14C033) of the promising anti-missile and anti-space defense system on the topic "Nudol" developed by JSC "Concern of East Kazakhstan Region" Almaz-Antey " (c) e-maksimov.livejournal.com
On this occasion, the US Space Command issued another pathetic statement, which says:
"Russia publicly declares that it is working to prevent outer space from becoming a battlefield, but at the same time, Moscow continues to arm space by developing and deploying orbital and ground - based assets that seek to exploit the US dependence on space-based systems," said US Army General James Dickinson, commander of the US Space Command.
"Russia's continuous testing of these systems demonstrates that threats to the space systems of the United States and its allies are growing rapidly. The creation of the US Space Command as the country's unified combat command in space and the US Space Force as the main offshoot of the US armed forces, which presents the US Space Command with combat and combat support capabilities in space, could not have been more timely. We are ready and committed to deter aggression and protect our nation and our allies from hostile actions in space."
The United States is concerned about Russia's continued development and deployment of several types of ground-and space-based anti-satellite weapons. These actions contradict Russia's diplomatic and public position against the deployment of weapons in outer space. In particular, Russia has demonstrated two completely different types of space weapons.
"Russia has turned space into a war zone by testing space - based and ground-based weapons designed to target and destroy satellites," Dickinson added. - This fact is incompatible with Moscow's public statements that Russia seeks to prevent a conflict in space. Space is crucial for all peoples. We are all interested in creating conditions for a safe, stable and sustainable space environment. Requirements for space systems persist at this time of crisis, when global logistics, transport and communications play a key role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic."
From the bmpd will specify that, as you can tell, we are talking about a new missile test anti-satellite intercept promising missile and anti-space defense "Nudol", developed by JSC "EKO Concern "Almaz-Antey". In the US Department of Defense, the Nudol complex was assigned the symbol PL-19 ("PL" - the index of missile systems initially tested from Plesetsk).
According to American data, this is the ninth test of the Nudol missile complex, whether it was successful is not reported. The previous (eighth) test of the Nudol missile complex was carried out from Plesetsk on April 15, 2020. The launch sites for testing Nudol missiles in Plesetsk are presumably located on the former launch site of the Cyclone launch vehicles.
Recall that, according to American data, before the test on December 16, 2020, eight test launches of the Nudol rocket system were made in Russia (including five declared successful, according to American estimates-regarding both launches of 2020, the success rate is not reported - but judging by the angry releases of the US Space Command about "Russian aggression", in both cases the tests were also successful):
1) The launch on August 12, 2014 - from the Plesetsk test site-according to the US Department of Defense was unsuccessful, however, according to the web resource planet4589.org, was successful;
2) Launch on April 22, 2015-Plesetsk-according to the US Department of Defense and the web resource planet4589.org, was unsuccessful;
3) Launch on November 18, 2015-Plesetsk-successful;
4) Launch on May 25, 2016-Plesetsk-successful;
5) Launch on December 16, 2016-made from the " base in the central part of Russia "(Kapustin Yar test site ?) - successful.
6) Launch on March 26, 2018-Plesetsk - from a standard mobile launcher (previous launches were made from test launchers) - successful.
7) Launch on December 23, 2018-Plesetsk - from a standard mobile launcher-successful
8) launch on april 15, 2020-plesetsk - from a standard mobile launcher- success was not reported.