ground & space-based kinetic weapons, attack ground facilities that support space operations.In July, the US Space Command had accused Russia of conducting an anti-satellite test from one of its satellites in orbit. Russia’s testing of a weapon that the US says aims to destroy satellites attracted global criticism.
However, Russia downplayed the event. According to the Associated Press, the Kremlin said that the event involved – “a small space vehicle” that “inspected one of the national satellites from a close distance using special equipment.”
On the other hand, China, which is currently trailing behind Russia and the US is set to become a space power by 2030. China has been expanding its network of military intelligence satellites.
Last year, China conducted 32 successful rocket launches as per the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. This puts China on top for the second year in a row, exceeding the 21 launches in the US in 2019.
The recently created US Space Force was reportedly needed in part due to Russian and Chinese anti-satellite weapons. In June, the Pentagon published a space strategy document saying that China and Russia present the greatest strategic threat due to their “development, testing, and deployment of counter-space capabilities and their associated military doctrine for employment in conflict extending to space.”
Chinese hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), previously denoted by the Pentagon as WU-14. File Image
According to Army National Guard Major General Tim Lawson, the US has new capabilities to counter these threats from Russia and China. However, he couldn’t discuss them because they are classified under the umbrella of “black budget” projects.
“As a geographical combatant command focused on the space domain, those are the things that keep us up at night,” said Lawson, who made the remarks at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Space Warfighting Industry Forum, which was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A lot of times you listen to that threat picture and you kind of get a little dismayed at what you’re seeing, but then you look at our side and — trust me — we’ve got some things coming. So, it’s good news.” Pentagon has raised the possibility of space-based sensors that can detect and track missile launches from nearly every location on the planet, as well as a missile interception system from space.
Lawson also highlighted the need to have space architectures that use large networks of small communications and intelligence-gathering satellites that would be less vulnerable to enemy attacks. “If you had hundreds of small satellites up there in a constellation … the enemy can take out quite a few of those and it will really never have an impact on us,” he said. “That really is the resiliency piece that we’re seeking out there and we need.”
US Space Force is also looking at developments in space logistics like in orbit refueling or satellite servicing. “If we could ever figure that out to where it is an economic way to do business, it would be a gamechanger, absolutely,” he said. “No doubt about it. And we would fully support a capability that would allow us to do that. And I think we would be very open to having some very good candid conversation on where the industry is at in that piece of it.”
The US military spent $6 billion in the …
25-05-2025
Faced with enlistment shortfalls, the US military spent over $6 billion on recruitment and retention incentives in the last three years. The Navy significantly outspent other branches, particularly on retention...
Read moreAir raid sirens in Jerusalem as army say…
25-05-2025
The Israeli army intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem. This attack, claimed by Yemen's Huthis, targeted Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv...
Read moreFive years of Black Lives Matter: 3 ways…
25-05-2025
As the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaches, here are three ways the MAGA movement has flipped the narrative — turning a symbol of police brutality into an emblem of...
Read more‘They lost Annabelle?’ Internet meltdown…
25-05-2025
The infamous Annabelle doll recently sparked internet frenzy after rumors spread about its disappearance during a paranormal tour in the US. This occurred shortly after a fire at a Louisiana...
Read more'Upgrade nukes, big China's support': Wh…
25-05-2025
A US intelligence report reveals Pakistan's military priorities, emphasizing nuclear modernization and addressing cross-border tensions with regional neighbors. China remains Pakistan's primary defense partner, providing economic and military support, while...
Read moreVietnam police detain man over damage to…
25-05-2025
Vietnamese police have detained a man who broke into a history exhibit and damaged an antique throne considered to be one of the nation's most precious artefacts, conservation officials said...
Read moreRussia unleashes largest air onslaught o…
25-05-2025
Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the war's onset, targeting over 30 cities and villages with missiles and drones, resulting in casualties and widespread damage. The...
Read moreUK renationalises first train operator u…
25-05-2025
A private train operator servicing parts of southern England, including London, on Sunday became the first to be returned to public ownership under a government plan to renationalise Britain's much-maligned...
Read moreMan killed by automatic gunfire in Frenc…
25-05-2025
A 29-year-old man was fatally shot overnight in the eastern French city of Dijon, the local prosecutor said on Sunday, adding that a gangland killing was suspected. The man killed...
Read moreJapan travel bookings drop amid earthqua…
25-05-2025
Travel bookings to Japan from Asian markets have significantly decreased due to earthquake predictions from a manga novel, sparking concerns among travelers. Flight reservations from Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong...
Read moreSyria to help locate missing Americans: …
25-05-2025
Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing in the war-torn country, a US envoy said on Sunday. "The new Syrian...
Read moreFire cuts power to 45,000 in French Rivi…
25-05-2025
French Riviera authorities said Sunday they are boosting security around electricity grid sites after an overnight fire in a substation that cut power to 45,000 people, and a massive blackout...
Read more"Unbroken" launch reinforces u…
25-05-2025
Rushan Abbas, a Uyghur activist, released her memoir "Unbroken" at a summit in Munich. The book details her journey and the issues faced by Uyghurs. Dignitaries showed support at the...
Read moreThe dirty secrets behind Myanmar's rare-…
25-05-2025
Rare earth mining in Myanmar's Kachin state, driven by Chinese demand, employs in-situ leaching, causing severe environmental damage and health risks for local communities. Activists are campaigning for responsible sourcing...
Read moreSouth Sudan crisis: What if the UN lifts…
25-05-2025
South Sudan faces renewed global concern as conflict escalates, causing widespread displacement and malnutrition. The UN Security Council is poised to vote on extending sanctions, including an arms embargo, despite...
Read moreFamine looms in Gaza — What's slowing do…
25-05-2025
After facing international pressure, Israel has allowed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza, but critics argue it's insufficient. While hundreds of trucks are ready with food and supplies, distribution is slow...
Read moreTrump vs. Harvard: No more foreign stude…
25-05-2025
The Trump administration has escalated its conflict with Harvard University, citing concerns over left-wing ideologies and alleged antisemitism. Federal funding has been frozen, and the university's license to enroll foreign...
Read moreHeads, brains, skin, hands, faces, organ…
25-05-2025
Cedric Lodge, a former Harvard employee, admitted to trafficking stolen human remains from the university's morgue between 2018 and 2020. He illicitly removed body parts, including organs and brains, and...
Read moreRCMP claims 488% spike in Canada's terro…
24-05-2025
Terrorism charges in Canada have surged by 488% in the past year, prompting serious national security concerns. The RCMP revealed that Canadian police foiled six terrorist plots, leading to arrests...
Read moreMalaysia calls for Myanmar truce extensi…
24-05-2025
Malaysia called Sunday for the extension and expansion of a post-earthquake ceasefire in Myanmar due to run out at the end of May, despite ongoing fighting calling into question its...
Read more
