U.S. Space Command prepares for satellite warfare as global tensions rise – NaturalNews.com

• The U.S. and France conducted a joint orbital maneuver near a suspected Russian satellite as a deliberate show of force in satellite-to-satellite combat readiness.
• U.S. Space Command is shifting from defense to offense, openly advocating for space-based weapons like orbital interceptors to counter Chinese and Russian anti-satellite threats.
• China’s satellite launches have surged eightfold since 2015, while Russia is accused of developing an orbital nuclear weapon capable of crippling thousands of satellites.
• Future space warfare will rely on AI, refueling capabilities, and expendable satellite constellations to outmaneuver adversaries and protect critical assets.
• The escalating militarization of space risks turning orbit into an uncontrollable battleground, with global communications and defense systems hanging in the balance.

In late 2024, an American military satellite and its French counterpart conducted a high-stakes orbital maneuver near an undisclosed foreign satellite, likely Russian, marking a bold new phase in U.S. space operations. This rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO) wasn’t just a technical test; it was a deliberate signal to adversaries that the U.S. and its allies are ready for satellite-to-satellite combat.

General Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, confirmed the exercise’s significance, stating, “The French have talked about Russian maneuvers [near French satellites] over the years. And so…we demonstrated that we could both maneuver satellites near each other and near other countries’ satellites in a way that signaled our ability to operate well together.” This was the first such operation between the U.S. and a non-Five Eyes ally, and plans are already underway to repeat it later this year.

From defense to offense: A new space doctrine

For years, Space Command, which was re-established in 2019 under President Donald Trump, focused on infrastructure and personnel. But now, Gen. Whiting declares, “We now have a combatant command focused on war fighting in space.” Two key factors are driving this shift: America’s growing reliance on satellites for military operations (such as the June strike on Iran, which was “space enabled”) and the rapid expansion of Chinese and Russian anti-satellite capabilities.

Since 2015, China’s satellite launches have surged eightfold, surpassing Russia’s capabilities. Both nations, along with India, have tested destructive anti-satellite weapons, while U.S. officials accuse Moscow of developing an orbital nuclear weapon that could cripple thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites. In response, Gen. Whiting now openly advocates for “space fires” and “orbital interceptors,” a significant departure from past reluctance to discuss offensive space weapons.

“It’s time that we can clearly say that we need space fires, and we need weapon systems. We need orbital interceptors,” he stated in April. The Trump-era Golden Dome missile-defense plan, which includes space-based interceptors, could be repurposed to target hostile satellites. As one official explained, “space to space, space to ground, ground to space” capabilities will be essential for “the lethality that is necessary to achieve…deterrence.”

AI, refueling, and expendable satellites: The future of space warfare

To counter emerging threats, the U.S. is rethinking how it deploys and protects its satellites. Traditionally treated as stationary “individual forts,” satellites are now being designed for mobility, with larger fuel reserves and in-orbit refueling—a capability China demonstrated in June. Gen. Whiting warns that if adversaries gain this advantage, “we need that capability.”

Another strategy involves “proliferated” constellations—massive networks of satellites where losses are acceptable due to sheer numbers. The National Reconnaissance Office has launched over 200 satellites since 2023, with more planned. SpaceX is also rumored to be building a 450-satellite constellation for missile tracking and targeting.

Artificial intelligence is another game-changer. Gen. Whiting envisions AI-equipped satellites that can detect and evade “nefarious” objects or even deploy defender satellites to shield high-value assets. For now, AI is being integrated on the ground: Space Command’s SpaceBot large language model can now process threat data in minutes.

A race with no finish line

As China, Russia, and the U.S. escalate their space militarization, the risks grow. Russia’s alleged nuclear anti-satellite weapon, if deployed, could render low-Earth orbit unusable for a year, crippling global communications and defense systems. Meanwhile, China’s lunar ambitions, including plans for nuclear reactors on the moon, threaten to turn space into the next economic and military battleground.

For now, the U.S. is racing to maintain dominance. But as Gen. Whiting’s warnings suggest, the next frontier of deterrence won’t be fought on land or sea; it will be in the silent, high-stakes arena of orbit.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Economist.com

PBS.org