Chinese satellite hints at space warfare prowess by dodging US surveillance
- Shijian 20, China’s most advanced communication satellite, was approached by US surveillance satellite but reportedly moved away at speed
- Monitoring rivals’ satellites is needed to avoid collisions, but the US is also concerned about Chinese satellites’ potential warfare capabilities
But some defence analysts said the scenario was not new and the incident should not be seen as escalating the rivalry between China and the United States in space.
“It is not difficult to monitor satellites,” said Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping. “The US, Russia and China are all able to monitor each other’s satellites in orbit. But the US will certainly plan its space infrastructure through monitoring the satellites of China and Russia.”
In July, the Shijian 20, China’s heaviest and most advanced communication satellite, was approached in parallel by a US space surveillance satellite, USA 271. The Chinese satellite “rapidly” moved away, US military website Breaking Defence reported on Friday.
The Chinese detected the shadowing of the American satellite, the report said, citing information from space tracking company Commercial Space Operations Centre (ComSpOC).