Getting ready for space conflict? 5 Chinese satellites spotted ‘dogfighting’

The US Space Force stated that rival nations are enhancing their space fight skills, with China showcasing coordinated satellite tv for pc actions that consultants describe as “dogfighting” in orbit, experiences Breaking Defence.
The US Space Force (USSF) is a army department accountable for organising, coaching, and equipping forces to guard American pursuits in space. It was established in 2019 for countering threats from adversaries like China and Russia.
At the McAleese annual Defense Programs Conference, United States space power normal Michael Guetlein revealed that observations of 5 Chinese satellites performing coordinated actions in space indicated refined army ways.
Guetlein elaborated on the operation, noting that a number of objects have been shifting in managed, synchronised patterns round one another. This exercise represents orbital fight observe between satellites.
“There are five different objects in space maneuvering in and out around each other, in synchronicity and in control. That’s what we call dogfighting in space. They are practicing tactics, techniques and procedures to do on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another,” Guetlein stated.

Verification of Chinese actions

A Space Force spokesperson subsequently confirmed China’s involvement, detailing operations involving Shiyan-24C and Shijian-6 05A/B satellites in low Earth orbit throughout 2024.
“Gen. Guetlein referenced Chinese satellite maneuvers observed in space. China conducted a series of proximity operations in 2024 involving three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites and two Chinese experimental space objects, the Shijian-6 05A/B. These maneuvers were observed in low Earth orbit. These observations are based on commercially available information,” the spokesperson wrote in an electronic mail to Breaking Defense.
LeoLabs, a space monitoring organisation in Colorado, verified the Chinese demonstration and famous ongoing comparable actions by Russian spacecraft, particularly a three-spacecraft proximity operation. “The Russians are right in the middle of a three-spacecraft RPO,” the LeoLabs consultant was quoted as saying to Breaking Defence.

Space warfare

The US defence division has warned that China and Russia are bettering their space capabilities. While satellites have moved shut collectively earlier than, coordinating a number of satellites without delay is a giant step ahead.
Reports point out Chinese satellites have been monitoring US property in geosynchronous orbit. Guetlein emphasised the need for Space Force adaptation as technological benefits diminish.
The skill to coordinate a number of satellites is a brand new growth, including to rising threats in space. Guetlein careworn that the Space Force should strengthen its defences to “deter and, if necessary, defeat aggression” in orbit.
“The environment has completely changed. There used to be a capability gap between us and our near peers, mainly driven by the technological advancement of the United States. That capability gap used to be massive. That capability gap is significantly narrowing, and we’ve got change the way we’re looking at space or that capability gap may reverse not be in our favor anymore,” Guetlein stated.