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China’s military mouthpiece PLA Daily cites SpaceX role in warning of satellite arms race
🇨🇳 China /Conflict & Security

China’s military mouthpiece PLA Daily cites SpaceX role in warning of satellite arms race

From South China Morning Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • China's military newspaper, PLA Daily, has warned of an escalating arms race in low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
  • The newspaper cited SpaceX's recent contract with the US Space Force as an example of increasing militarized applications of LEO constellations.
  • The articles highlight the growing strategic importance of space, including satellite networks and orbital competition, amid technological advancements.

China's official military newspaper, PLA Daily, has issued a stark warning about an accelerating arms race focused on low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The publication pointed to recent developments, including SpaceX's contract with the US Space Force, as evidence of the growing militarization of space.

The era of the militarised application of low-orbit constellations is arriving at an accelerated pace.

— PLA DailyWarning about the increasing militarization of low-earth orbit satellites.

LEO constellations, typically operating between 300 and 1,500 kilometers above Earth, are becoming increasingly critical for communications and satellite navigation. However, PLA Daily dedicated a full page to articles cautioning that "the era of the militarized application of low-orbit constellations is arriving at an accelerated pace."

The articles, authored by researchers from China's Space Engineering University, emphasized the "unprecedentedly prominent" strategic value of space. This includes advancements in satellite networks, the potential for orbital competition, and the seizure of vital spectrum resources.

the strategic value of space” was becoming “unprecedentedly prominent

— PLA DailyHighlighting the growing importance of space assets and capabilities.

These warnings come just days after SpaceX secured $75 billion in funding, propelling its chief executive, Elon Musk, to trillionaire status. One article specifically noted that the United States, leveraging its "first-mover technological advantages and mature commercial ecosystem," continues to enhance the military applications of LEO constellations.

Relying on its first-mover technological advantages and mature commercial ecosystem, the United States has continued to increase the militarised application of low-orbit constellations.

— Feng Songjiang and Wang Xiaoyan (Space Security Research Centre)Analyzing the US approach to developing and applying LEO constellations for military purposes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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