- Laser — a ground-based laser can temporarily dazzle the camera of a reconnaissance satellite or, with enough power, permanently damage the sensor. Russia says it can dazzle satellites with the mobile laser Peresvet; its actual performance is not public.
- High-power microwave — a powerful radio pulse that disrupts or destroys electronics; from the ground or from a satellite. Public information about space HPM is scarce.
- Nuclear — a nuclear explosion in space does not take out one satellite but hundreds: the radiation lingers for months in the radiation belts. The American Starfish Prime test (1962, ± 400 km) damaged a large share of the satellites then in low orbit within months. Nuclear weapons in orbit are banned by the Outer Space Treaty; in 2024 the US warned that Russia is working on such a weapon, and Russia blocked a UN Security Council resolution reaffirming that ban.
Uncertain
On directed-energy weapons and nuclear ASAT plans there are mainly government claims and warnings; hard public data is lacking. Treat them as such.