The battle for space supremacy is escalating as China’s stealthy maneuvers, Russia’s hunter-killer satellites and the US’s push for agile orbital combat capabilities converge toward future clashes in space.
This month, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that China’s aggressive orbital maneuvers in geosynchronous orbit have prompted US Space Force leaders to seek enhanced maneuvering capabilities.
Air & Space Forces Magazine mentions that since 2010, China has launched nearly 1,000 satellites, with recent activities involving high movement rates, orbital warfare techniques and evasion tactics.
The report highlights the risks posed by China’s dynamic satellite maneuvers, which include inspecting, moving or damaging other satellites. The report says these maneuvers are unusual for geosynchronous orbit and aim to avoid detection and disruption.
The report says that US Space Force Commander General Stephen Whiting emphasized the need for sustained space maneuver capabilities, citing China’s use of novel orbits and on-orbit refueling.
It also mentions that Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir warned of a paradigm shift requiring the US to adapt. In addition, the report mentions that Lieutenant General Douglas Scheiss noted the potential for a “dogfight in space” due to both nations’ maneuvering capabilities.
Air & Space Forces Magazine notes that the US aims to develop systems like the X-37B spaceplane to reduce operational surprise and bridge orbital regimes.
In addition to the X-37B spaceplane, Defense Scoop reported in October 2024 that the US Space Force awarded a US$34.5 million contract to California-based startup Impulse Space to demonstrate on-orbit maneuverability for its tactically responsive space program.
According to Defense Scoop, the contract involves delivering two orbital maneuver vehicles (OMV) for the Victus Surgo and Victus Salo missions. The report notes that these missions aim to test pre-positioned space assets’ ability to address on-orbit threats quickly.
Defense Scoop mentions that the US Space Force seeks to refine its response to space threats and aims to achieve operational tactically responsive space capability by 2026. It also says the upcoming Victus Haze mission, slated for 2025, aims to test maneuverable space vehicles.
Previously, Asia Times reported in February 2022 that the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded contracts to General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin to develop nuclear propulsion systems for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) demonstrations by 2025.
This technology, which uses nuclear fission to accelerate propellants, offers significant advantages over traditional chemical propulsion, including longer endurance, heavier payload capacity and double fuel efficiency.
These advancements may shift space combat from passive “detection and response” to active “positioning and maneuver” strategies. They enable the application of traditional war principles—flexibility, concentration, and maneuverability—to space operations.
Maneuverability may also address satellites’ inherent vulnerability. Most follow predictable paths, making them susceptible to tracking and targeting by anti-satellite weapons. This predictability allows adversaries to plan and execute attacks with higher precision.
Adversary satellites employing “chase and disable” tactics—actively seeking, inspecting, or damaging critical space assets—pose significant threats to space security.
These tactics involve satellites maneuvering to closely approach and potentially interfere with other satellites, raising concerns about intentional disruptions or hostile actions.
For instance, NPR reported in May 2024 that the US had accused Russia of launching a satellite, Cosmos 2576, that is likely a counter-space weapon. NPR says the satellite, launched from the Plesetsk site in northern Russia, is in the same orbital plane as a US spy satellite, USA 314, which is part of the Keyhole 11 series.
According to NPR, the US claims that Cosmos 2576’s proximity to USA 314, approximately 48 kilometers at its closest point, suggests it could be used to inspect, move or damage other satellites.
The report notes this maneuver has heightened tensions between the two nations, with the US monitoring the satellite for any threatening behavior. NPR says Russia has denied the allegations, calling them “fake news” and asserting its opposition to placing weapons in space.
Previously, Asia Times reported in August 2022 that Russia’s Kosmos-2558 satellite is suspected to be an “inspector satellite” with potential hunter-killer capabilities. Analysts believe it can monitor and potentially destroy US spy satellites, raising concerns about the weaponization of space.
That month, Kosmos-2558 approached within 75 kilometers of the USA-326 satellite, which carries a classified payload for space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has expressed concerns about the satellite’s proximity and potential threat. Russia has a history of deploying satellites with similar capabilities, including Kosmos-2491, Kosmos-2499, and Kosmos-2504, which have conducted proximity maneuvers since 2013.
Charles Galbreath mentions in a July 2024 article for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies that the US Space Force should explore plans to deploy “hunter-killer” satellites, leveraging the flexibility and affordability of SmallSats to strengthen space superiority.
Galbreath says these hunter-killer satellites are designed to operate as co-orbital weapons capable of disabling adversary satellites through kinetic strikes, electronic warfare, laser targeting, spoofing and jamming.
He notes that patrolling near adversary assets, hiding in less-monitored orbits, or remaining dormant aboard larger spacecraft until activation enhances the US Space Force’s ability to execute offensive counter-space operations on short notice.
Additionally, Galbreath says these satellites can be “bodyguards” for high-value space assets, similar to fighter escorts for aircraft, thereby shielding critical systems like missile warning satellites from attack.
He notes that the adoption of SmallSats for this role is driven by their low cost, rapid development cycles, and potential for mass deployment, which enables the US to counter China’s and Russia’s growing space warfare capabilities.
Galbreath says the combination of precision targeting, operational agility and the ability to achieve effects without generating orbital debris underscores the transformative potential of SmallSats in US military space operations.
However, the rules of war regarding attacks against satellites aren’t crystal clear. In the 2023 book “Who Owns Outer Space?”, Michael Byers and Aaron Boley mention that the legal debate on whether an attack on a satellite constitutes an act of war centers on interpretations of jus ad bellum (right to war) and jus in bello (conduct in war) principles.
Byers and Boley say proponents argue that satellite attacks could qualify as armed force under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, mainly if they significantly damage state assets or disrupt essential services like communications or navigation.
They point to the reliance on satellites for military, economic and civilian functions, suggesting that targeting these assets may justify invoking self-defense under Article 51.
Conversely, they mention that opponents note that not all satellite attacks meet the threshold of an “armed attack,” especially if effects are non-destructive, like signal jamming or hacking.
Moreover, Byers and Boley point out that satellites’ dual-use nature complicates attribution and intent assessment, making classifying such actions as acts of war challenging.