MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday a U.S. plan to shoot down an ailing spy satellite could be used as a cover to test a new space weapon.
The ministry said there was insufficient proof thatWashington's decision to fire a missile at the disabledsatellite was to prevent a potentially deadly leak of toxic gasas it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.
"In our opinion, the decision to destroy the U.S. satelliteis not as harmless as it is being presented. Especially as theUnited States has been avoiding talks on restricting a spacearms race for quite a long time," the ministry's informationdepartment said in a statement.
"Under cover of discussions about the danger posed by thesatellite, preparation is going ahead for tests of ananti-satellite weapon. Such tests mean in essence the creationof a new strategic weapon."
U.S. officials said on Thursday that President George W.Bush had decided to have the Navy shoot the 5,000-pound (2,270kg) satellite with a modified tactical missile after securityadvisers suggested its re-entry could lead to a loss of life.
Some space and security experts have said they did notbelieve Washington's justification for the plans and argued thePentagon was more likely testing its ability to target otherstates' satellites.
This suggestion is rejected by U.S. officials.
It will be the first time the United States has conductedan anti-satellite operation since the 1980s. Russia also hasnot conducted anti-satellite activities in 20 years.
(Reporting by Tanya Mosolova)
