US and China develop hunter satellites and space weapons

Science

Global Banking & Finance Review

In recent months both China and the United States have advanced secretive orbital programs that can deploy agile satellites and perform close-proximity maneuvers. A Chinese unmanned spaceplane released a small satellite that looped around another Chinese satellite, according to space trackers, and US officials say the United States operates a similar unmanned spaceplane. Separately, US and UK forces conducted a joint orbital operation near China’s Shiyan 12-01, a move presented as a signal of allied unity. The developments heighten the risk that future conflicts will extend into crowded orbits and place civilian and military satellites at greater operational risk.

Space militarization is accelerating with operational hunter satellites.