In early 2021, Micross Components received a contract from an American aerospace company to create specialized circuitry to safeguard military systems from radiation resulting from a nuclear explosion. Based in Melville, New York, Micross accepted the assignment without fully comprehending its significance. However, recent discussions by American officials have shed light on the gravity of this undertaking.
Product manager Mike Glass at Micross explained how the pieces started falling into place earlier this year. There were reports of Russian intentions to place a nuclear weapon in space, with the focus being on Cosmos-2553, a satellite positioned about 2,000km above Earth. The satellite is believed to be conducting tests on the necessary electronics for such a weapon.
If a nuclear detonation were to occur in space, the immediate impact on Earth’s surface would be minimal. However, Lieutenant-Colonel James McCue of America’s Defence Threat Reduction Agency warned that such an event could trigger “satellite Armageddon.” Satellites close to the detonation would be destroyed instantly while those farther away would suffer from the radioactive aftermath.
The repercussions of such an incident would be felt worldwide and indiscriminately affect satellites belonging to all countries. As Micross Components continues to work on developing the necessary circuitry, it becomes increasingly evident that their project has critical implications for global security and protection against potential space-based threats.
