How China’s scavenger satellites are being used to develop AI weapons, drones and robots
- Chinese scientists have been testing the technology since 2008, according to declassified document
- Small probes can latch onto targets such as dead spacecraft in near-Earth orbit – and in a military scenario could stay attached to avoid being tracked
Technology from China’s decade-old scavenger satellite programme has been used in the development of new weapon systems powered by artificial intelligence, according to a recently declassified document and scientists involved in the programme.
The small satellites, including some lighter than 10kg, can grab onto uncooperative targets such as dead spacecraft tumbling in near-Earth orbit.
A triple-eye sensor allows them to gauge the target’s shape, relative speed and random rotation, with a single-axis robotic arm latching onto the target when it closes to within 20cm.
The scavenger satellite then fires up thrusters and steers the junk so that it can burn up while plunging through the atmosphere.
In military scenarios they could remain attached to debris to avoid being tracked from the ground.
China has launched at least 10 experimental scavenger satellites over the past decade, but it is not the only country developing the technology. The European Space Agency has launched at least two satellites to learn how to catch a piece of junk in orbit using various methods, such as casting a net. And the American military has reportedly been developing technology using drifting debris as a tactical hideout for smaller satellites in space warfare.