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US and China Prepare for Space Warfare, Raising Stakes in the Fight for Orbital Control

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Documents & data Ongoing story
  • China and the United States are developing increasingly capable military space systems as both prepare for the possibility of conflict extending into orbit.
  • Chinese researchers linked to the military are studying satellites that could pursue, capture or refuel other spacecraft, while the United States and Britain conducted a joint operation near a suspected Chinese spy satellite.
  • Military officials say satellites and spaceplanes are becoming active tools of warfare, with disruptions potentially affecting communications, surveillance and missile defense.

In June, a secretive Chinese unmanned spaceplane released a small satellite hundreds of miles above Earth, in an orbital region crowded with commercial and military spacecraft. The satellite then looped around another Chinese satellite before moving back toward the spaceplane, according to the US space-tracking company LeoLabs.

The Chinese are rapidly developing capabilities

· General Chance SaltzmanThe US Space Force chief described China’s development of ground- and space-based weapons.

Little is known about the satellite or its mission. The United States operates a similarly secretive uncrewed spaceplane resembling a small shuttle. Together, the two programs illustrate how Beijing and Washington are preparing for military operations that could extend beyond Earth.

Chinese researchers linked to the military are developing satellites designed to pursue and even capture other spacecraft. Patent-related documents, procurement notices and academic papers reviewed by Reuters also describe systems intended to extend the fuel supplies of satellites carrying out such operations. The United States and Britain conducted their first joint military operation in space near the path of a suspected Chinese spy satellite, according to commercial tracking data.

substantial

· General Chance SaltzmanSaltzman characterized the threat from China.

“The Chinese are rapidly developing capabilities,” US Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman said in July, referring to ground- and space-based weapons that could interfere with or destroy targets. Saltzman, who is retiring, called the threat from China “substantial.”

cripple our massive military in the terrestrial sphere

· Everett DolmanThe former Air War College professor described the potential impact of attacks on US space capabilities.

Satellites have long provided communications, navigation and intelligence for military forces on Earth. Increasingly, militaries view them as weapons platforms that can disrupt other spacecraft through jamming or laser dazzling, or capture them directly. Former US Air Force Air War College professor Everett Dolman said a disruption of US space capabilities would “cripple our massive military in the terrestrial sphere,” affecting everything from surveillance to missile defense. Because spaceplanes can maneuver and deploy satellites or carry cargo, he said, opponents could regard them as potential “space fighters.”

space fighters

· Everett DolmanDolman described how opponents might view maneuverable military spaceplanes.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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