The New Frontier of Warfare: The Rise of Satellite Wars

Space might seem like an unlikely front in the battle between world powers, but military satellites are a critical part of modern warfare. Satellite wars have already begun.

The US identified space as a domain of war after decades of commercial use. Countries like China and Russia are taking this same approach and using civilian companies to do it. That means that everyday technologies could be used for military purposes without anyone knowing about it; this could create new vulnerabilities for us here on Earth when our enemies take over those same technologies for their purposes:

Military satellites are a critical part of modern warfare.

Military satellites are a critical part of modern warfare. They provide real-time information and surveillance in war theaters, allowing commanders to gather data about enemy activities and determine their next moves. In addition, satellite imaging will enable soldiers to see what's happening above them, which can be crucial for planning an attack or avoiding an ambush.

But even though satellites have become an indispensable tool for military strategists, they're not the only way to gather information: sometimes you need something closer at hand--like a drone (or maybe even your own eyes).

Satellite wars are no longer hypothetical, but real.

Satellite wars are no longer hypothetical but actual.

The United States has identified space as a domain of war and is developing new technologies to maintain its edge in space. Russia and China are also expanding their capabilities in this area.

True Anomaly plans to launch two "orbital pursuit" spacecraft, Jackals, on a SpaceX rocket in October 2022. The Jackals can maneuver close to other satellites and gather information on them through sensors. In their first mission, the Jackals will spy on each other. If successful, Rogers plans to deploy thousands of autonomous spacecraft controlled by human operators and AI to monitor and potentially defend against US adversaries in space. The CEO of True Anomaly believes an active defense system is required to defend and protect the space domain and will likely involve electronic warfare, cyberattacks, and jamming.

The US identified space as a domain of war.

The US identified space as a new domain of war and has been developing its space capabilities for decades. However, the Pentagon announced plans to create the US Space Force only last year.

The US is not alone in its efforts; Russia, China, and India have satellites in orbit. And while these countries may not be able to match America's military might on Earth, they could use their satellites to attack US forces with electronic pulses or lasers if conflict breaks out between them.

China and Russia are expanding their space capabilities.

China and Russia have developed their space capabilities in the last few years. China has been developing its program for decades, but it has recently made some critical investments to expand its military presence in orbit. In 2012, Beijing launched an experimental anti-satellite weapon from the ground that destroyed an old satellite at a high altitude with a kinetic kill vehicle--a projectile designed to hit targets at very high speeds--and then followed that up with another test in 2015.

Russia is also investing heavily in new technologies for its space program: Vladimir Putin recently announced plans for a new generation of heavy-lift launch vehicles capable of carrying payloads up to 100 metric tons into low Earth orbit (LEO). These new rockets would give Russia more flexibility than ever before when it comes time to send satellites into LEO or beyond: instead of relying solely on older Proton launchers which can only carry 13 metric tons per launch attempt but require three separate boosters stacked together before liftoff; Moscow could finally begin sending larger satellites into orbit without having them hitch rides aboard foreign rockets.*

Civilian companies may also contribute to the problem through new technologies that could be used for military purposes.

As a result of this shift, civilian companies are entering the space market and developing technologies that could be used for military purposes. While some countries have begun imposing export controls on dual-use technology to limit its spread, others have not. In addition, there is no international agreement on what constitutes a "military" satellite versus a "civilian" one--and even if there were such an agreement, it would have limited effect because many countries do not sign treaties related to space weapons (such as the Outer Space Treaty).

Military satellites provide real-time information and surveillance in war theaters, allowing commanders to gather data about enemy activities and determine their next moves.

Satellites are a critical part of modern warfare. They provide real-time information and surveillance, allowing commanders to gather data about enemy activities and determine their next moves. This can allow for more precise air strikes and help prevent friendly fire incidents by providing accurate coordinates for friendly forces.

The Bottom Line

Military satellites are a critical part of modern warfare, allowing commanders to gather data about enemy activities and determine their next moves. The US identified space as a domain of war, while China and Russia are expanding their space capabilities. Civilian companies may also contribute to the problem through new technologies that could be used for military purposes.