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A terrifying new space weapon has sparked fears that the United States and Russia could be on the brink of direct conflict as they race each other - and China - to dominate space.

The Pentagon has confirmed that Vladimir Putin's Russia launched a suspected "counter space weapon" into the same orbit as an American satellite. US Ambassador Robert Wood first raised

concerns about the new space weapon to the United Nations on Monday.

The matter was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder yesterday (Tuesday, May 22). He told a press conference: "What I'm tracking here is on May 16, as you highlighted,

Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we that we assess is likely a counter space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit."

Ryder told ABC News: "Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite. And so assessments further indicate characteristics resembling

previously deployed counter space payloads from 2019 and 2022.

"Obviously, that's something that we'll continue to monitor. Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous

and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force.

"And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment."

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When pressed on the potential threat posed by the Russian counter-space weapon, Rydert replied: "Well, it's a counter-space weapon in the same orbit as a US government satellite."

All countries are required to make advance air and sea notifications for space launches. However, Ryder would not say if the US knew in advance that Russia's launch involved a counter-space

weapon.

Earlier this month a Pentagon official warned lawmakers that Russia's development of a nuclear space satellite could knock out all other global satellites for up to a year. It comes as China

launches its first mission to collect samples from the dark side of the moon, reports the MailOnline.

The US government has previously warned that China could try and claim ownership of the moon if it reaches the lunar surface first.

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