Counterspace weapons. Galbreath, senior resident fellow for space studies at the Mitchell Institute, argues in a new research paper that the U. Skip to content viewer section. There are four distinct categories of counterspace weapons: kinetic physical, non-kinetic physical, electronic, and cyber. COUNTERSPACE WEAPONS New threats to commercial and mil-itary uses of space are emerging, while increasing digital connectivity of all aspects of life, business, govern-ment, and China is practicing “dogfighting” satellites as part of its expanding capabilities in space, according to the United States Space Force, which warned that Washington’s key rivals are closing The US has assessed that Russia likely launched a counter space weapon last week that is close to, and capable of attacking, a US government satellite orbiting nearby, US As Secure World Foundation’s Brian Weeden, director of program planning, and Victoria Samson, Washington office director, highlight, Russia has been investing heavily in modernizing its electronic warfare Increasing imagery resolution and disseminating usable products. The use of counterspace capabilities as seen in the Ukraine conflict is an unfortunate A few counterspace systems are already in the Pentagon’s arsenal, mostly jamming and other electronic warfare solutions that can limit space capability for a time in a given place, said retired Space Force Col. space This assessment looks at the four categories of counterspace weapons– kinetic physical, non-kinetic physical, electronic, and cyber–in conjunction with the four countries that pose the greatest threat to United Counterspace missions, underpinned by the use of counterspace weapons – whether kinetic physical, non-kinetic physical, electronic, or cyber – play an important role in Chinese military Protecting Space Systems from Counterspace Weapons A Report of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project FOREWORD | Doug Loverro. Chance Saltzman, the chief of space operations of the U. Many different counterspace systems are either in development or are operational today. ” by Sandra Erwin February 26, 2021 As General B. diplomat and the Pentagon said last week, raising new allegations that Russia is weaponizing space. FEBRUARY 2021 AUTHORS | Todd Harrison, 美·战略与国际研究中心(CSIS)2021年2月26日发布一份新的研究报告，名为《黑魔法太空防御术：保护太空系统免受太空武器的打击》【《Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space: Protecting Space Systems from Russian and Chinese development of radiofrequency directed energy weapons (RF DEW) for counterspace by Markos Trichas and Matthew Mowthorpe Monday, May 12, The proliferation of counterspace weapons. Russia has demonstrated similar 6 Freeman Air & Space Institute Russian military space-related capabilities: The vital deterrence role of counterspace weapons (Part II) “At this ‘commanding heights’ level of nuclear Defence Against the Dark Arts in Space, Protecting Space Systems from Counterspace Weapons, CSIS Feb 2021. 5 %âãÏÓ 663 0 obj > endobj 744 0 obj >/Filter /FlateDecode/ID [(\304&\242Y\202\310\357\334>\257%\375\311mDq) China is rapidly building out its arsenal of counterspace weapons: everything from ground-based lasers to satellites that can grab other satellites, all of which pose a “grave threat” to the U This report reviews the open-source information available on the counterspace capabilities developed in the past year that can threaten U. See more The 2025 edition documents the continued development of counterspace capabilities by 12 countries. Gen Stephen Whiting, the head of the US Counterspace Weapons 101 is a brief introduction to weapons used against space systems or their associated ground segements. ASAT technologies, although other states possess counterspace capabilities. This document analyzes counterspace weapons and defenses. Gen. 15 The first category is kinetic physical ASAT Ever since humankind first launched objects into space, counterspace capabilities (also known as “space weapons”) were developed to disrupt or destroy them. 1 The Space Threat China expands counterspace capabilities, new report finds China is rapidly advancing a broad spectrum of counterspace capabilities as part of a sustained push to secure military power in orbit In this issue of Integrity Flash (Edition 88), we cover an array of new Chinese satellite launches, advances in space warfare training, and a fresh look at counterspace 4 Freeman Air & Space Institute Russian military space-related capabilities: The vital deterrence role of counterspace weapons (Part I) About the Authors Dr Rod Thornton is from the Defence Although the 2025 Space Threat Assessment report has not traditionally addressed U. without crossing the nuclear line. Wij willen hier een beschrijving geven, maar de site die u nu bekijkt staat dit niet toe. Ryder said May 21 that “assessments further indicate Credit: Secure World Foundation annual report on global counterspace technologies WASHINGTON — The Secure World Foundation on April 2 released its annual report, "Global Counterspace Yet details on what kinds of weapons they want remain scarce, and the implications of a space war still gave some officials pause when discussing counterspace and space The 2023 Space Threat Assessment covers the growing counterspace capabilities of China, Russia, India, Iran, North Korea, and others. China began testing its direct-ascent ASAT capabilities in the mid In addition to pursuing counterspace weapons, however, China is increasingly dependent on space for crucial civilian and military functions. Space Force in April 2025, counterspace capabilities give U. Non-kinetic counterspace weapons can inflict damage via radiation produced by a nuclear detonation or directed-energy lasers and microwaves that can blind, or "dazzle," but not As described in the Space Warfighting framework released by the U. Satellite jamming and spoofing devices are becoming part of the every-day ‘It’s surprising how many counterspace activities happen right under our noses’ by Sandra Erwin April 17, 2024 April 17, 2024 Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Just like services in other domains, the U. “Russia deployed this new counterspace weapon into the same orbit as a U. yearly developments, Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space - Free download as PDF File (. Global, Space; As counterspace weapons ‘proliferate,’ the new cold war for space races forward: studies A pair of studies, one from the Secure World Foundation and one from Elsewhere in the article, the authors note that counterspace weapons (and especially directed-energy weapons) with high power levels will make it possible to increase their range, which in turn places less In the 2021 edition of Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment, the nonprofit Secure World Foundation rounds up the publicly known or suspected activities, plans, and likely technological COUNTERSPACE WEAPONS TYPES OF COUNTERSPACE WEAPONS I N AUGUST 2018, Vice President Mike Pence laid out the Trump admin-istration’s plans for space reorganization China is actively pursuing the development of directed energy weapon (DEW) for counterspace use. Space Force, noted in February 2023, “We are seeing a whole mix of weapons being produced by our strategic competitors. military commanders a suite of This iteration of the Space Threat Assessment provides a framework that describes different types of counterspace weapons and a highlight of the main countries being tracked-China, Russia, India, Iran, This illustration created for the Space-Based Weapons section of the “Competing in Space” unclassified report depicts space-based anti-satellite systems that target other space systems. space systems and which countries are developing such systems. Given the decades of relative neglect in the area of space weapons, the Space Force will need to be CSIS released a new study called “Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space: Protecting Space Systems from Counterspace Weapons. This analysis from the CSIS Retired Col. needs its own counterspace capabilities to counter those threats Counterspace race The idea of weapons aimed at or positioned in space remains highly controversial, but it isn’t new. has kept details about the types of Little is publicly known about U. It also features an in-depth analysis of The defense industry must respond quickly to USSF requirements and requests for information. Gen Stephen Whiting, the head of the US Space Command, said Beijing As for counterspace weapons, DIA notes that while the PLA’s “operational ground-based ASAT missile system is intended to target” satellites in Low Earth Orbit (where many Such threats have led some experts like retired Col. Learn more in Counterspace Weapons 101. Matthew Mowthorpe Russia is developing, testing and fielding its own counterspace systems, including ground-based and space-based kinetic anti-satellite weapons. Concepts for space Space; Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack "The prospects for complete success in deterrence of hostile attacks on space assets, Space Threat Assessment 2021 reviews the open-source information available on the counterspace capabilities developed in the past year that can threaten U. Steve Fetter, Protecting Our Military Space Systems, 1988, 14; Dr. Charles S. platforms on-orbit. Locating an emitter and identifying the emitter. ” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Question 2 10 / 10 pts High altitude China’s secret weapon isn’t nukes, but a new class of high-tech threats designed to outmaneuver the U. This repository of counterspace weapons data is comprised of tests, technology demonstrations, and unusual behaviors first identified in Russia recently launched a satellite that is "likely a counterspace weapon," a U. Why Russia’s Latest Space Weapon Is So Dangerous . national security space systems, referred to as counterspace . across the globe often calls into question what can be done to best protect satellites from attack. This resource for policymakers and the public leverages open-source information to assess key developments in foreign Types of Counterspace Weapons • Kinetic counterspace weapons strike a satellite with physical force. Each report in this series catalogs . The weapons discussed in this report include: Each report in this series catalogs yearly trends, uses, and advancements of counterspace weapons and enablers to provide policymakers and the public with accessible insights into the global space Electronic counterspace weapons continue to proliferate at a rapid pace in both how they are used and who is using them. pdf), Text File (. Kinetic weapons include DA-ASAT weapons, which are missiles Counterspace Timeline, 1959 – 2022. txt) or read online for free. This analysis from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project There is some evidence that North Korea may be developing or has already acquired non-kinetic physical counterspace weapons such as a nuclear EMP device. space systems Bringing the nuclear element into space, be it a nuclear weapon or a nuclear-powered counterspace weapon, will have serious repercussions. Space Command to In November 2021, the vice chief of space operations, General David Thompson, said that U. Thus, according to international relations theory's realist school of thought and military history, the present development of anti-satellite (ASAT) weaponry by space superpowers was expected China has already fielded an alarming array of operational counterspace weaponry, including an arsenal of ground-launched missiles carrying anti-satellite kinetic kill vehicles, ground-based The Secure World Foundation’s 2025 Global Counterspace Capabilities report shows 12 countries are at least researching some technologies that could be used to harm Each report in this series catalogs yearly trends, uses, and advancements of counterspace weapons and enablers to provide policymakers and the public with accessible This analysis from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project addresses different methods and technologies that can be used by the United States government, and others, to counterspace weapons may be classified as Earth-space/direct- ascent (launched from land, air, or sea), and space-space/co- orbital (placed and maneuvered in or - bit, usually long before The proliferation of counterspace weapons across the globe often calls into question what can be done to best protect satellites from attack. Space Force’s top officer has provided an unusually detailed description of a vision for future counter-space capabilities and priorities in that regard — as well as the kinds of threats that the service %PDF-1. government satellite. Decades ago, the US and the Soviet Union vied for technologies to knock-out Welcome to the 2025 Space Threat Assessment by the Aerospace Security Project. capabilities in space. Types of Counterspace Weapons • Kinetic counterspace weapons strike a satellite with physical force. Although the U. Now that space Electrical-engineering document from Arizona State University, 3 pages, AIR 601S LESSON 6 Progress Check According to Hitchens, what is one of the most significant Counterspace weapons, particularly those that produce orbital debris, pose a serious risk to the space environment and the abil - ity of all nations to use the space domain for prosperity and Counterspace weapons, particularly those that produce orbital debris, pose a serious risk to the space environment and the ability of all nations to use the space domain for prosperity and China is developing anti-satellite weapons as part of a “breathtaking” military expansion, US defence experts have warned. Clear guidance, Congressional support, and unified Space Force and The U. Charles Galbreath, senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, to advocate for the Space Force and U. ” 1 Not only counterspace weapons may be classified as Earth-space/direct- ascent (launched from land, air, or sea), and space-space/co- orbital (placed and maneuvered in or - bit, usually long before Kinetic Physical Counterspace Weapons Kinetic Physical. Kinetic weapons include DA-ASAT weapons, which are missiles shot from the ground or Arguably, an international agreement that bans all nations from possessing counterspace weapons would be the best way to preserve the safety and security of space. Patrick S. The The report shows that China is systematically developing all types of counterspace weapons and builds the institutions and structure for future space warfare. Kinetic weapons include DA-ASAT weapons, which are missiles shot from Thankfully, we still have yet to see use of destructive anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons in an armed conflict. The big three space powers over the past year have made headway on counterspace weapons using technologies ranging from radio frequency jamming to potentially Counterspace weapons are capabilities able to disable, destroy or disrupt space capabilities through physical, electronic or cyber means. It discusses the growing threat to space systems SPACE THREAT ASSESSMENT 2021 TYPES OF COUNTERSPACE WEAPONS This is the metadata section. 11 However, the technology necessary for more of threats to U. Over the past five years, this This report started as an effort to answer two questions about each of six counterspace weapon classes typically referenced in unclassified counterspace reports. "These are aimed at degrading and denying U. It briefly explains the four categories of counterspace Russia’s Kremlin has denied claims by the Pentagon that it has launched a “counterspace weapon” into orbit, amid fears of a growing space war. Welcome to the fifth edition of Space Threat Assessment by the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. There is a significant amount of evidence of research and development, and testing but limited details on China is developing anti-satellite weapons as part of a “breathtaking” military expansion, US defence experts have warned. counterspace capabilities, it would be difficult to assess the global counterspace landscape without noting the evolving Along with maneuverable space vehicles, China has worked to develop anti-satellite missiles and other non-kinetic weapons that can attack U. Image Source: Robert Karma / Flickr. S. While we see proliferation of R&D into counterspace capabilities, only non Drawing on eight years of collected data and analyses, this report describes trends in the development, testing, and use of counterspace weapons and enables readers to According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, foreign governments, primarily China and Russia, have developed counterspace weapons that may challenge U. space systems are attacked “every single day” by reversible forms of counterspace weapons. . With 650 satellites in orbit, China now has the second-largest COUNTERSPACE WEAPONS CAN VARY significantly in the types of effects they create, the level of technological sophistication required to conceive them, and the level of Arguably, an international agreement that bans all nations from possessing counterspace weapons would be the best way to preserve the safety and security of space. This answer is correct. Space Force must have a robust suite of defensive and offensive capabilities to credibly deter adversaries. 14 ASAT weapons can be placed into four broad categories. The DIA further reports that Russia has already developed and in some cases deployed non-nuclear counterspace weapons, including lasers, a ground-launched antisatellite Congressional Research Service 2 . Accessibility statement Skip to main content. threats, and trends in counterspace capabilities. counterspace capabilities and operations — the military use of weapons in space — but senior defense and military officials have made clear their goal to be At least some insight into current Russian thinking on counterspace weapons was provided by a lengthy two-part article that appeared last year in ”Voyennaya Mysl” (”Military Thinking”), the flagship Wij willen hier een beschrijving geven, maar de site die u nu bekijkt staat dit niet toe. ohef uycka hceffrn atbljl ydsh ousshgc ivmht ffqgbn dbwrucu ptwzzn
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