China’s rapidly expanding space program is raising alarms among US Space Force leaders, who warn that Beijing is aggressively building capabilities to challenge US dominance in orbit. Since consolidating its military space assets in 2015, China has deployed nearly 1,200 satellites, including advanced systems for communications, navigation, surveillance, and potentially offensive operations, according to Aviation Week. Recent activity includes unusual satellite placements in medium Earth orbit (MEO), development of large broadband constellations like Smart Skynet, and maneuverable satellites in geosynchronous orbit. US officials highlight China’s increasing launch cadence, experimentation with reusable launch vehicles, and growing focus on rendezvous and proximity operations—technologies that could support satellite servicing or serve dual-use military purposes. They write:
China’s burgeoning space portfolio is prompting U.S. Space Force leaders to issue fresh warnings about Beijing’s ambitions to compete with Washington’s on-orbit enterprise.
The Chinese government is leveraging years of observing U.S. and allied systems to accelerate development of its space capabilities. “It is concerning how fast they’ve done it,” Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence Brig. Gen. Brian Sidari said. […]
Among recent launches is Yaogan-45, a reconnaissance satellite that was placed in medium Earth orbit (MEO) on Sept. 8 by a Long March 7A rocket. Yaogan-45’s location in MEO—rather than the more common low Earth orbit (LEO)—is a “very unusual” choice for a remote-sensing platform, said Chief Master Sgt. Ron Lerch, Sidari’s senior enlisted advisor. […]
“They are bringing on capability—I don’t want to say daily, but at least monthly,” Schiess told reporters Sept. 24. […]
China could soon increase its launch cadence as it develops reusable launch vehicles, Sidari said. The country completed a vertical-takeoff-and-landing test with a reusable launch vehicle that reached 12 km in 2024. “It is concerning once they figure out that reusable lift,” he said. […]
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