"Some Chinese Space Technologies Overwhelm US"... US-China Version of 'Star Wars'

US Expresses Concern Over China's Space Development in Military Report, Citing Specific Threats for the First Time
China Successfully Launches Reusable Spacecraft, Develops Own GPS
Possibility of China's Satellite Interceptor Weapon Test Raised
US Begins Strengthening Space Force Strategy, Reviving 1960s Star Wars Program

On the 4th, the Long March 2F rocket carrying a reusable spacecraft that landed back on Earth after launch was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, China. The Chinese government did not disclose specific information about the reusable spacecraft on the day of the launch. Jiuquan, China = Chinese Academy of Sciences

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the United States and China engage in full-scale space development competition, tensions between the two countries are spreading into space. China's so-called rapid rise in space capabilities is leading to evaluations that the 'Star Wars' rivalry between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War in the 1960s is being reenacted in the 21st century. The U.S. Department of Defense recently warned in a military report submitted to Congress that China has completed its own satellite navigation system, Beidou, and that it could significantly damage air defense systems. This is the first time this year that the U.S. has cited China's space development capabilities as a specific threat.

This year, the U.S. Department of Defense showed particular interest in China's strengthening of space power in the '2020 China Military Power Report.' It stated that China's space forces, including its self-developed anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), have grown to a level comparable to the U.S., and that they could inflict significant damage on the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and air defense systems. The Department of Defense highlighted in this year's report that last year China described space as an important domain in international strategic competition, emphasizing how much has changed compared to 20 years ago.

The report stated, "In the first report in 2000, China's space development capabilities were nominal," and "based on outdated technology, China's defense industry struggled to produce high-performance systems." However, regarding the present 20 years later, it evaluated, "The goal of the People's Liberation Army is to become a world-class military by the end of 2049," and "China is investing significant resources to grow all aspects of its space programs, from military to civilian." It added, "The People's Liberation Army is surpassing the U.S. in some technologies in this field." Last year's report did not mention space as a major threat area of the Chinese military. Instead, the main threats were Arctic expansion, cybersecurity warfare, and South China Sea disputes.

China's space development is rapidly growing. In January 2007, it succeeded in an experiment intercepting its own satellite, Pingwin 1C, with an ASAT weapon, and after several successful interception tests, it is now known to have considerable technology for intercepting low Earth orbit satellites. It is expected that soon it will be possible to shoot down geostationary satellites located at higher altitudes.

Recently, China succeeded in rocket reuse following the U.S. On the 6th, the Chinese state-run Global Times reported that on the 4th, a rocket was unexpectedly launched from Jiuquan, Gansu Province, carrying a reusable spacecraft, surprising many once again. The Global Times reported that this rocket is similar to the X-37B, a reusable rocket successfully developed by the U.S. company SpaceX. However, U.S. space media are leaning toward the view that it is intended for military use rather than simple rocket reuse. Considering the very high security level maintained until the launch time, it is believed that this was not just a civilian reusable rocket launch.

What the U.S. Department of Defense is more concerned about is China's own GPS Beidou system, which it announced was operational at the end of July. China's Beidou system began development in 1994 with a budget of $10 billion. It has launched 55 satellites and is considered more precise than the U.S. GPS, which operates with 35 satellites. It is also known to have high military utility because it can transmit messages of about 1,000 characters even in areas without communication relay stations.

With China having its own GPS and ASAT technology, there is a risk that in an emergency, the Chinese military could intercept U.S. GPS satellites, causing significant damage not only to the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force but also to air defense systems. If GPS satellites are damaged, it becomes difficult to track enemy positions, greatly impairing U.S. military operational capabilities. Sean Bratten, Deputy Director of Operations at the U.S. Space Command, said in an interview with major foreign media, "China can certainly seek ways to neutralize the U.S. GPS," and emphasized, "The U.S. military already has many satellites in use and must have the capability to defend them from Chinese interception weapons."

The U.S. Department of Defense is strengthening space force capabilities in preparation for China's space power. Earlier this month, the Department announced that 2,400 Air Force personnel began transferring to the newly established Space Force at the end of last year. It plans to sequentially move 16,000 personnel to train space operation specialists and respond to China's space strategy through the Space Command, which integrates the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.