China's spacecraft captured in new intel report
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A photo of China's reusable spaceplane captured in 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Vantor
The clearest image to date of China's highly secretive spaceplane was circulated this week in a new Pentagon report identifying space threats.
Why it matters: The photo is further evidence of China's space advancements, and the findings from the Defense Intelligence Agency shine a light on Beijing's orbital arms buildup.
- The spaceplane photo, taken by space intelligence firm Vantor and shared with Axios, is from May 28, 2024. It shows a satellite docked to the space vehicle and open payload bay doors.
- The 130-page report points out China's space threats, as well as those from Russia, North Korea and Iran. The release follows the American military's revelation that the U.S. has orbital weapons at the ready.
What they're saying: Despite China's push for non-weaponization agreements, the country is expanding its space tech "to deter and compel other nations from taking actions Beijing deems counter to its national security interests," the DIA wrote.
- "China is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, capable of holding space systems at risk."
- Vantor is raising alarm, too.
- "China is building an unblinking eye over the Pacific, primarily through commercial space capabilities," Will Cocos, executive vice president and general manager of Vantor's U.S. government business, said in an emailed statement. "The DIA's latest report makes clear how quickly that threat is growing."
Threat level: The DIA provided general examples of the space weapons enemies could use on commercial, civil or military satellites, including:
- radio frequency jammers
- lasers
- high-powered microwaves
- chemical sprayers
- robotic mechanisms
- projectiles
- nuclear detonation
China also has ground-based lasers that can "disrupt, degrade, or damage satellites" in low-Earth orbit, the report said.
- The country may improve upon that existing technology and could even field space-based lasers "by the late 2020s," according to the DIA.
Yes, but: Victoria Samson, the Secure World Foundation's chief director of space security and stability, told Axios that DIA has been trying for years to pin a date on when China will field its most advanced laser weapons.
- "It seems speculative," Samson said.
