US Space Command runs first Apollo Insight wargame simulating nuclear explosion in orbit

US Space Command has initiated Apollo Insight, a new series of classified wargames designed to bring commercial companies into military space planning. The first exercise, already completed, simulated a nuclear weapon detonating in low-Earth orbit—a scenario that would violate the Outer Space Treaty and potentially destroy thousands of satellites, disrupting military and civilian networks for up to a year. Gen. Stephen Whiting revealed the exercise at a Mitchell Institute event, noting that 60-something companies participated at the classified level alongside allies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The goal was to gather commercial insights on detection, characterization, and future tech to counter such threats.

The wargame follows public warnings in 2022 about Russia potentially deploying a nuclear weapon in orbit. US officials have since confirmed Russia is exploring this option, though no weapon has been placed in orbit yet. Russia has, however, launched mysterious satellites shadowing US spy satellites and is operationalizing conventional anti-satellite weapons. The Pentagon increasingly relies on commercial space capabilities, as seen in Ukraine with Starlink and drone tech. Apollo Insight will host three more exercises this year, focusing on orbital maneuver warfare, proliferated satellite constellations, and missile warning/defense.