US warns China developing satellite 'dogfighting' capabilities

While popular culture often depicts dramatic battles in space akin to those seen in science fiction films like "Star Wars," actual orbital maneuvers are constrained by physics. Dr. Rebecca Reesman and James R. Wilson from The Aerospace Corporation have expressed skepticism regarding real dogfights in their October 2020 paper: “Unlike an aircraft, which is free to change where it is heading at any time, a satellite in orbit generally follows the same path and goes in the same direction without additional propulsive maneuvers.”

Despite these limitations, satellites can still maneuver into positions that affect others through impact or electronic warfare. General Guetlein described observing five objects performing synchronized maneuvers: “With our commercial assets, we have observed five different objects in space maneuvering in and out and around each other in synchrony and in control. That's what we call dogfighting in space.”

These developments underline concerns about space becoming a warfighting domain. General Saltzman further explained this shift: “If you want to understand the evolution from Air Force Space Command into the Space Force, it all comes down to this fundamental shift. It is now our job to contest and control the space domain."

The growing militarization of space has prompted countries like Canada, France, Australia, and others besides America to develop military-style command structures for their satellites.