China is about to put in place an operational anti-satellite weapon. Meanwhile, the two major powers are working on the development of energy weapons against US satellites. "Ten years after China intercepted one of its own satellites in low Earth orbit, its ground-launched ASAT missiles could be close to operational service in PLA’s People’s Liberation Army," said Coats. . "Both countries are advancing directed energy weapon technologies with the goal of introducing ASAT systems that could isolate or damage sensitive spaceborne optical sensors. Russia is developing an aerial laser gun to be used against US satellites. "

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Russia and China are actively pursuing new weapons and capabilities to counter America’s domination of space according to an assessment by the US Intelligence Community. Indeed, both countries are considering the development of weapons that could attack US satellites and other space assets in orbit.

"We assess that Russia and China perceive a need to offset any US military advantage from military, civilian or commercial space systems and are increasingly considering attacks on satellite systems as part of their future military doctrine. war, "said Congressional testimony of Daniel Coats, director of the National Intelligence Service on May 11. "Both will continue to pursue a full range of anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) as a means of reducing US military efficiency."

The two great powers - seeking to compensate for America’s benefits in this area - continue to develop such capabilities despite public statements that would prevent an arms race in outer space. "Russia and China remain committed to developing capabilities to challenge perceived opponents in space, especially the United States, while publicly and diplomatically promoting the non-seizure of space and the" first placement "of space. ’weapons in space,’ said Mr Coats. "Such engagement continues despite ongoing US and Allied diplomatic efforts to deter the spread of threats to the peaceful use of outer space, including international commitments through the United Nations."

Most attacks on US space assets are likely to be non-kinetic, with an emphasis on cyber-attacks and cyber-warfare. "The development will most likely focus on the interference capabilities of specialized radio imaging satellites (SATCOMs), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging satellites, and enhanced capabilities against satellite navigation systems ( GNSS), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States, The Testimony of "Coats" reads. "The mix of EW and cyber-attack capabilities is likely to extend to the search for sophisticated ways to deny and degrade information networks. Chinese researchers have discussed methods to improve robust scrambling capabilities with new systems to block commonly used frequencies. Russia intends to modernize its EW forces and to lead a new generation of EW weapons by 2020. "

However, when electronic warfare and cyber-weapons fail to achieve their desired goals, the Russian and Chinese are ready to use kinetic force to physically destroy US space assets. "Some new Russian and Chinese ASAT weapons, including destructive systems, are likely to complete development in the coming years," Coats said. "Russian military strategists presumably regard counter-space weapons as an integral part of the rearming of broader aerospace defense and are very likely to pursue a diverse range of capabilities to affect satellites in all orbital regimes".

But it’s not just the Russian army; Policymakers in Moscow are also promoting anti-satellite weapons from the perspective of the US intelligence community. "Russian lawmakers have promoted the military pursuit of ASAT missiles to hit satellites in low Earth orbit, and Russia is testing such a weapon for eventual deployment," Coats said. "A Russian official has also recognized the development of a missile launched by an aircraft capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit".

On the other side of the world, China is about to put in place an operational anti-satellite weapon. Meanwhile, the two major powers are working on the development of energy weapons against US satellites. "Ten years after China intercepted one of its own satellites in low Earth orbit, its ground-launched ASAT missiles could be close to operational service in PLA’s People’s Liberation Army," said Coats. . "Both countries are advancing directed energy weapon technologies with the goal of introducing ASAT systems that could isolate or damage sensitive spaceborne optical sensors. Russia is developing an aerial laser gun to be used against US satellites. "

In addition, both countries are developing satellites that can either handle other space assets or, if necessary, collide with an enemy orbital vehicle and destroy another. "Russia and China continue to conduct sophisticated satellite activities in orbit such as rendezvous and proximity operations, some of which are likely to test dual-use technologies with inherent counter-space functionality." said Mr. Coats. "For example, the search for robotic space technology for satellite maintenance and debris removal could be used to damage satellites. Such missions will pose a particular challenge in the future, which will complicate the ability of the United States to characterize the space environment, decipher the intent of space activity, and provide a pre-warning of the threat. "

Src: Africa24infos