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Only a small number of nations, including Venezuela, Iran and China, supported Russia's objections, especially its rejection of responsible behavior as a foundation for norms.
Russian and Chinese anti-satellite tests are responsible for "pretty much 20 percent" of "conjunction" warnings, that is predictions that two space objects are likely to collide, in 2022, said the State Department's Eric Desautels.
Up to now, only Canada and New Zealand have joined the US in unilaterally pledging not to test destructive ASAT missiles, but diplomats expect others to join in.
"We recognize our ASAT commitment doesn't cover all ASAT threats, including space based ASAT systems. But we think it is important to take a first step to address the most pressing threats," said Eric Desautels, a senior State Department official involved in negotiating international accords.
Friction with the Kremlin, most recently aggravated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has seeped into space, exacerbating tensions over the rules of behavior there and halting negotiations over space weapons at a time when the battlegrounds of war are moving to the edges of Earth’s atmosphere.