September 23rd 2024.
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Recent satellite imagery has revealed a massive crater at a test site in Russia, causing delays in their plans to launch 'doomsday' hypersonic missiles. This setback comes after a failed test launch of the Satan-2 missile, which has left Russia's only suitable testing site for these powerful rockets completely destroyed. This site was a key component in President Vladimir Putin's claims of nuclear superiority over the West.
According to experts, the explosion at the Plesetsk site not only caused significant damage to the launch site, but also to an observation building nearby. There are fears that some of Russia's top rocket scientists may have lost their lives in the blast. The test program for the RS-28 Sarmat missile, also known as the 'Satan-2', is now facing a potential delay of years or even cancellation, following a series of unsuccessful launches.
Images from the satellite show a massive crater measuring over 200ft wide, along with scorched earth surrounding the launch shaft. The fires that ensued after the explosion were so intense that it took firefighters up to twelve hours to contain them. This is not the first mishap with the Sarmat missile, as previous test launches have also faced failures.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but there are speculations that it may have been triggered by the highly dangerous propellant used in the rocket. This propellant is known to produce flammable vapors, which could have led to the catastrophic event. Another theory suggests that a leak in the silo where the missile was stored may have been the cause.
This latest failure in the test program is a major blow to Russia, as they have been boasting about the unstoppable power of the 'Satan-2' missile. The missile is designed to carry ten nuclear warheads, each with a destructive capacity of 750 kilotons. President Putin has repeatedly emphasized Russia's advanced missile capabilities, and this failure is a significant setback for their military plans.
According to analysts, the destroyed silo at Plesetsk was the only one available for testing the Sarmat missile, and now it will have to be rebuilt from scratch. This will cause further delays in the program, as the other potential testing site in Uzhur may not be suitable for these purposes. The destroyed silo was also the site of the only successful test launch of the Satan-2 missile, back in April 2022.
The Russian government has been silent about the explosion and has even censored state media from reporting any details about it. However, open source intelligence analysts have suggested that the explosion may have been caused by an aborted missile test. This theory is further supported by the fact that Russia had issued and then revoked a NOTAM related to the missile test.
As a result of these repeated failures, President Putin may be forced to cancel the entire program. Despite having only one successful test launch, he had insisted on putting the missile into mass production and deploying it with troops earlier this year. The Sarmat-Satan-2 complex was intended to replace the 'Satan' missile, which has been in service since the 1980s. However, reports suggest that the development of the Sarmat missile has been hindered by Western sanctions, making it difficult to obtain necessary components.
Russian propagandists have frequently threatened to strike the West with the 'Satan-2' missile, and President Putin himself has stated that it will strengthen their armed forces and ensure the country's security from external threats. However, with these repeated failures, it seems that Russia's ambitious plans for the hypersonic missile may have to be put on hold.
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