The new arms race is moving into space
In June, a secretive unmanned Chinese spaceplane closely monitored by United States military analysts released a small satellite hundreds of miles above Earth in an orbital region crowded with commercial and military satellites.
The United States and Britain conducted their first joint military operation in space in September last year, as part of a strategy to deter potential interference from China. The operation involved a US military satellite swooping in close to a UK satellite, while China's Shiyan 12-01 satellite passed beneath them. This signal was intended to demonstrate allied unity, capability, and a warning to Beijing not to interfere with the UK satellite.
US Space Force chief General Chance Saltzman stated that China's rapid development of weapons capable of interfering with or destroying targets is a substantial threat. Satellites have become essential to modern warfare, providing communication, navigation, and intelligence services. As a result, militaries increasingly view them as active weapons platforms capable of launching attacks through jamming, laser dazzling, or even capturing enemy spacecraft.
The US military operates a similarly secretive spaceplane, reflecting the evolving field of military space operations. Chinese researchers are developing technologies ranging from satellites designed to pursue and capture other spacecraft to systems that could extend fuel supplies during these pursuits. The threat from China is significant, according to Saltzman, who is retiring.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
