The US is approaching a turning point in space security, and the US Space Force General said Russia and China need to raise the game before they can close the capabilities gap.
General Michael Guetrein, deputy director of Space Operations, spoke at the 16th McCullaise Defense Program meeting in Arlington, Virginia on Tuesday (March 18), warned that space forces need to rethink how they can protect the country’s satellites. The Space Force should shift its focus from managing spacecraft that supports defence infrastructure on the ground to improving its ability to keep pace with orbital weapons developed by the nation’s enemies, Guetrein argued.
“We are in the process of pivoting from a service that was a service that focused on providing the most exquisite space services on Earth to fighters and nations,” General Gutrain said.
For decades, spacecraft countries had largely avoided interference with each other’s satellites and other spacecraft, but now it appears that the era is nearing its end. This shift comes as China and Russia have strengthened their display of orbital war capabilities over the past few years. Some of these incidents have generally improved over other incidents, such as the 2022 Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test, creating clouds of supersonic debris in low-Earth orbit. That same year, Chinese satellites “worked on” one of the country’s abolished satellites. It was towed into the “cemetery trajectory.”
“We’re seeing our arms smeared into the universe where we can tow another satellite or take hostage,” he warned. “We are also beginning to see close peers focused on using satellites to practice dog fights in space,” he added, emphasizing that supporting the Space Force would thwart such attacks.
Guetlein says that the old norms of the universe are beginning to erode. “Until recently there was a gentleman’s agreement. [sic] “We said we didn’t ruin each other’s space systems. […] And they are willing to do it with very unsafe manners. ”
Guetrein also highlighted the trend that “jamming, spoofing, dazzling” tendencies become norms of behavior, highlighting the rapid addition of tactics to the new operational environment of the universe. Now, interests are high. Foreign satellites start with shadows of our spacecraft and are moving in lockstep to what Guetrein called the “cat and mouse game.”
Space Force generals added that it is important for the US to maintain its advantage as new orbital war techniques and capabilities emerge. But the once rich technical advantages of the space held by the US are narrowing. “The ability gaps were once huge,” Gutrain pointed out. “The ability gap will be significantly narrowed and we must change the way we see the universe. Or maybe the ability gap will be reversed and it’s not as good as it is anymore.”
In particular, China is promoting its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technology. “China’s ISR capabilities are very capable. They went to “Kilmesh” from what we called the ‘kill chain’,” he said, explaining the integrated network that intertwines weapon systems with ISR satellites.
To combat hostile overtaking, space forces have begun to strengthen their infrastructure and add redundancy where possible, but General Gutrain says they need to do more. In some regions, he noted that the commercial space sector outweighs some of what space forces can achieve from orbit. He says commercial and international partnerships are absolutely important.
“We don’t have a tech corner anymore. We have allies in the commercial. All of us who run together are better than the sum of parts,” Guetlein said. “Partnerships bring us spread.
Space Force is also developing an integrated defense system that includes an initiative called the Golden Dome. “In my opinion, the magic of the Golden Dome would be an integration of abilities that have never been intended to be networked or integrated before,” General Gutrain said. “Many pieces of the Golden Dome puzzle already exist. They are not connected today.”
