December 1, 2024
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U.S. Direct Ascent Anti-satellite Testing Fact Sheet
Editors
Victoria Samson
Space Sustainability
Space Situational Awareness
Counterspace Capabilities
U.S. Direct Ascent Anti-satellite Testing Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Editors
Victoria Samson
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While the United States does not have an operational, acknowledged direct ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) system, it does have operational midcourse missile defense interceptors that have been demonstrated in an ASAT role against a satellite in a very low orbit. The United States has developed dedicated DA-ASATs in the past, both conventional and nuclear-tipped, and likely possesses the ability to do so in the near future should it choose so.
