Russia sees U.S. space threat, builds new rocket. US will be able to hit any target in Russia from space by 2030, commander of Russia's air force said

Russian Pres Medvedev has said a ban on deploying weapons in space was a condition for further arms cuts as were mutual limitations on the creation of ground-based anti-missile systems.

Medvedev is trying to persuade Obama to give up plans for a ground-based anti-missile system with components deployed in Europe, a project viewed by Moscow as a direct threat.

Russia Air Force Commander Zelin said that by 2020 Russia would create its own new air and space defense.

Zelin said Moscow was now developing a fifth-generation, surface-to-air rocket, the S-500. "It is able to implement in full the tasks of air and space defense and is capable of engaging ballistic hypersonic targets flying at a speed of 5 km (3 miles) per second," Zelin said.

Russia sees U.S. space threat, builds new rocket