A top Space Force general has announced that China’s commercial satellites have conducted “dogfight” maneuvers in low Earth orbit. The statement stands out as an important indicator of China’s advances in space. The US Space Force’s Deputy Chief of Space Operations, General Michael Guetlein, said at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington that the commercial systems were maneuvering around each other in synchronization. According to Guetlein, such operations are referred to as “dogfighting” in space. In other words, the tactics, techniques and procedures used to move from one satellite to another in orbit and carry out operational missions are becoming increasingly complex in space. This development represents a significant turning point in the evolution of military tactics in space.
The Role of Shiyan-24C and Shijian-605 Satellites
According to Guetlein, these operations were carried out in 2024 and involved China’s three Shiyan-24C satellites and two Shijian-605 A and B spacecraft. The Shiyan-24C satellites are described as aiming to gather signals intelligence and conduct close operational interactions with objects in orbit. This exercise showcased the ability to perform complex maneuvers, such as in-orbit rendezvous and proximity operations, not only to navigate around objects but also to examine them. China’s development of such capabilities is considered a development that could threaten the US’s superiority in space.
Russia's Orbital Demonstrations and U.S. Concerns
Guetlein listed China’s “dogfighting” maneuvers alongside other concerning Russian space activities. In 2019, Russia conducted follow-up maneuvers near a U.S. satellite by releasing a smaller spacecraft. Such capabilities are an indication of increasing competition in space and a narrowing of the space capability gap. U.S. rivals are consolidating their strategic advantage by increasing their ability to track each other in space and engage in close operational interaction.
Strategies for a Strong Position in Space
General Guetlein emphasized that China and Russia’s activities in space could harm the US’s aim to establish superiority in space and therefore the perspective on space needs to be changed. Space Force leaders have long stated that such tactics threaten the US’s superiority in space. Guetlein stated that in the past, the US had great superiority in space, but that rival countries were rapidly developing in this regard. If this capability gap is not closed, the US’s space superiority that was in its favor may now be left behind. This concern is one of the main factors shaping the future strategies of the Space Force.
Space Forces' Objectives and Future Strategies
General Guetlein’s statements reveal that the Space Force will make greater efforts to achieve superiority in space and develop new strategies to maintain their leadership in space operations. The purpose of the Space Force is to ensure the security of joint forces and to guarantee superiority in space. Guetlein emphasized that superiority in space is not only a matter of military power but also technological capability. Space, like all other areas, should be seen as a field where US joint forces can fight and capabilities that they can rely on in this area should be developed.
The United States’ superiority in space can be maintained through technological advances and strategic investments. However, developments in space by rival countries such as China and Russia pose a significant threat to the sustainability of this superiority. The Space Force will continue to develop stronger and more effective strategies to counter these threats and maintain leadership in future space operations.
