Space analysts warned that Russia's mysterious Object 2014-28E could be a satellite killer.
The U.S. government is worried that the unidentified object launched by Russia into space might be a device designed to destroy other satellites, NBC News reported.
The object, dubbed as 2014-28E, is currently being monitored by the U.S. military and amateur satellite watchers. It was launched by Russia in May of this year along with three other packages.
It caught the attention of space analysts and government agencies after the object began to move strangely. Those monitoring the object said it has been changing its orbital path.
Since Russian authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the true purpose of 2014-28E, many analysts have speculated about its functions.
Some say it was designed to repair satellites while others claim it collects and discards space debris.
For Patricia Lewis, a space security expert and research director Chatham House, Object 2014-28E might be a satellite launched by Russians to destroy or hack other satellites.
"Whatever it is, [Object 2014-28E" looks experimental," she told Financial Times. "It could have a number of functions, some civilian and some military. One possibility is for some kind of grabber bar."
"Another would be kinetic pellets which shoot out at another satellite," Lewis added. "Or possibly there could be a satellite-to-satellite- cyber attack or jamming."
Theories about a satellite killer and a space war between the U.S. and Russia began during the 1950s after the latter country developed anti-satellite weapons, according to Independent.
One of Russia's prototypes was a satellite designed to orbit near satellites of other countries and detonate a warhead.
Although the program was discontinued, U.S. military officials warned that if the relationship between the two countries turns sour, Russia might conduct new research regarding the development and deployment of space weapons.
As to the possible effects of a satellite killer on a country, Lewis speculated that it could be used to intercept the transmission of confidential information. She also noted that such a weapon could disable communication networks between organizations and agencies during emergency situations.
"Imagine if you were having a [Hurricane] Katrina episode and all of your satellites suddenly got jammed," she told the Washington Post.
