The United States Space Force has just unveiled an image depicting a “future interceptor vehicle” designed to confront enemy satellites targeting friendly spacecraft.
This sharp graphic was released by the Space Operations Command (SpOC), the agency responsible for providing intelligence and operational capabilities in orbit for the U.S. Space Force. The image was unveiled at a ceremony held at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, USA.
The artwork is created by artist Rick Herter and is the first official image from SpOC illustrating a satellite interceptor spacecraft.
The first image depicting the newly announced satellite interceptor spacecraft – (Photo: Rick Herter/SpOC).
In the illustration, the “future interceptor vehicle” is shown opening its cargo bay as it maneuvers into position to attack an enemy satellite targeting a friendly spacecraft.
According to Space.com, this space fighter is reminiscent of other U.S. military spacecraft such as the X-20 Dyna-Soar and the “mysterious” X-37B, although SpOC emphasized that the vehicle depicted is fictional.
“Due to the highly classified nature of many space operations, SpOC requested that Mr. Herter draw upon existing spacecraft and his own imagination” – a spokesperson from SpOC stated.
While the U.S. Space Force has established units specifically targeting enemy satellites, the precise orbital combat capabilities of this force remain largely unknown, as they are classified at a high level.
Recently, this force has operated an experimental spacecraft named X-37B, which carried some payloads into orbit; however, further details about the X-37B have not been disclosed.
The spacecraft used as the official reference model in this new illustration is the X-20 Dyna-Soar, designed by Boeing in the late 1950s to serve as a reconnaissance spacecraft with an anti-satellite capability. However, the test program was canceled just before its planned first flight.
