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US and China Develop Space Warfare Capabilities as Tensions Rise
Countries use satellites to communicate, navigate and watch events on Earth.
The United States and China are now also developing satellites that can move near other spacecraft.
Some Chinese researchers are studying ways for satellites to follow, capture or refuel other satellites.
In June, a Chinese spaceplane released a small satellite that appeared to circle another Chinese satellite.
Last September, the United States and United Kingdom carried out a joint space operation near a Chinese satellite.
Experts said the mission may have been a warning that the two allies can work together in space.
U.S. officials say satellites could be attacked with jammers, lasers, cyberattacks or missiles.
China says it wants space used peacefully and that U.S. plans are making an arms race worse.
Chinese researchers linked to the military are developing pursuit, capture and potential refueling technologies for satellites.
A Chinese spaceplane released a satellite that appeared to circle another Chinese spacecraft in June, according to LeoLabs.
The United States and United Kingdom conducted a joint orbital operation near a suspected Chinese spy satellite last September.
U.S. officials describe China’s expanding space capabilities as a substantial threat and advocate a more active defense posture.
China says it opposes weaponizing space and accuses Washington of fueling an arms race through programs such as Golden Dome.
- Who
- The United States, China and the United Kingdom, along with their military and research organizations, are developing or testing space-operation capabilities.
- What
- The countries are expanding technologies and operations involving maneuverable satellites, spaceplanes, orbital surveillance and possible anti-satellite weapons.
- Where
- The activities took place in Earth orbit, including an orbital region crowded with commercial and military satellites; U.S. forces directed the joint operation from Colorado.
- When
- A Chinese spaceplane activity occurred in June; the joint U.S.-British operation occurred in September of the previous year; the report was published September 2.
- Why
- Military officials say space capabilities are increasingly important to warfare and deterrence, while China says it opposes the weaponization of space.
U.S. and Allied Security View
Chinese Government View
Nature of the space competition
U.S. and Allied Security View
U.S. and allied officials say China and other adversaries are rapidly developing capabilities that could interfere with, inspect, capture or destroy satellites, requiring stronger military preparation.
Chinese Government View
China says it opposes the weaponization of space and supports peaceful use, while accusing the United States of stoking an arms race.
Purpose of the joint orbital operation
U.S. and Allied Security View
Space experts told Reuters the U.S.-British operation near Shiyan 12-01 appeared to signal allied unity, demonstrate capability and warn Beijing against interfering with the British satellite.
Chinese Government View
China said it was not familiar with the specific details of the operation and did not comment on its proximity to the Chinese satellite.
Military role of maneuverable spacecraft
U.S. and Allied Security View
Western officials increasingly view satellites and spaceplanes as systems that may need to maneuver, defend themselves and potentially threaten hostile assets in a conflict.
Chinese Government View
Chinese state media described Shiyan 12-01 as conducting space-environment surveys and the Chinese spaceplane as supporting the peaceful use of space; Chinese institutions did not respond to Reuters’ specific questions.
Key facts
- Chinese spaceplane activity
- In June, a Chinese unmanned spaceplane released a small satellite that reportedly looped around another Chinese satellite before returning toward the spaceplane.
- U.S.-British operation
- The United States and United Kingdom conducted their first publicly announced joint military space operation, according to the report.
- Distance from Chinese satellite
- China’s Shiyan 12-01 satellite passed about 83 kilometers beneath the U.S. and U.K. spacecraft involved in the operation.
- Chinese technology research
- Patent-related documents and academic papers describe pursuit satellites, autonomous fuel-efficient maneuvers, satellite-management systems and possible net-based capture concepts.
- Potential threats
- Officials cited ground-based lasers, electronic jammers, cyberattacks and anti-satellite missiles as possible threats.
- U.S. electromagnetic weapon
- The U.S. Space Force said in June that it had introduced an earthbound electromagnetic weapon designed to disrupt or disable adversary satellites.
- China’s stated position
- China’s foreign ministry said Beijing opposes the weaponization of space and supports its peaceful use.
Quotes
General Chance Saltzman
U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations
““The Chinese are rapidly developing capabilities,” including ground- and space-based weapons designed to interfere with or destroy targets.”
theprint.in
“We must be well-prepared for conflict in space. And if deterrence fails, we will fight and win.”
theprint.in
Andrew Turner
Retired senior British air force officer and space consultant
“almost certainly a strategic signal to China to demonstrate allied unity, capability and a warning to not interfere with the UK satellite.”
theprint.in
Sources
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