The secretive Russian satellite in space that U.S. officials believe is connected to a nuclear anti-satellite weapon program has appeared to be spinning uncontrollably, suggesting it may no longer be functioning in what could be a setback for Moscow’s space weapon efforts, according to U.S. analysts.
Believed to be a radar satellite for Russian intelligence as well as a radiation testing platform, the satellite last year became the center of U.S. allegations that Russia for years has been developing a nuclear weapon capable of destroying entire satellite networks, such as SpaceX’s vast Starlink internet system that Ukrainian troops have been using.
OP has a solid point about costs sunk into R&D. A second unit is an order of magnitude cheaper to launch. OTOH, Russia broke as fuck.
Oh, I certainly agree that r&d is probably higher than manufacture, but they are ninijisibg the cost to replace. There is also runk cost fallacy to consider.
Russia doesn’t have the spare cash lying in the couch as you say and the cost to manufacturer is higher when under sanctions. The ability to manufacturer is also hamstring.