All news

Expert warns arms deployment in outer space may cause global disaster

According to a Russian academician, the US is actively working on the use of laser weapons in space
An artist's concept shows an earth-generated laser beam being reflected toward a high altitude target by a space-based mirror AP Photo
An artist's concept shows an earth-generated laser beam being reflected toward a high altitude target by a space-based mirror
© AP Photo

YEKATERINBURG, February 12. /TASS/. The placement of weapons in outer space may lead to a global disaster, Sector Head of the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Marov told TASS on Friday.

"The idea of using military measures in outer space is spreading actively in the world but the placement of weapons may lead to a global catastrophe. All automatics are influenced by energy rays whose particles, in turn, have their impact on electronics. That is why, some setbacks are probable and they may lead to irreversible consequences and so in this case you can’t rely on equipment," the academician said.

According to the scientist, the entire international community is today relying on the 1966 treaty. "It envisages a ban on using outer space for placement of armaments that can be subsequently used as attack weapons. Now US colleagues are actively working in this direction, for example, with regard to the use of laser weapons. But the presence of any weapons in outer space may disrupt stability in the world," the Russian academician said.

Mikhail Marov is a Soviet and Russian astronomer, the founder of the mechanics of space and natural environments. He is the holder of the USSR state award and the International Galabert award for Astronautics. The academician received the 2015 Demidov award on Friday.