Big threat for India, as China prepares for space war, develops powerful Anti-satellite missile, plans 27000 satellites to…, it is capable of…, US also in danger

After the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, China is now making technological strides in the space domain. This also poses a great challenge for India, the United States, and its allied nations. While China claims that its ambitious space program is intended to be peaceful, but majority of the technologies it has developed recently also have possible military applications.

Earlier, the U.S. had warned that China is quickly closing the technology gap. Whether it is talking about navigation satellites, communication networks, or reusable spacecraft, China’s presence and capabilities are becoming much more than just science; they are becoming an overt strategy for seeking strategic dominance.

What is BeiDou navigation system? Why is it being characterized as an enormous surveillance web?

The BeiDou navigation system is China’s navigation system. It comprises about 60 satellites which has gained full global coverage, and is increasingly being characterized as an enormous surveillance web. According to the media reports, China’s military, the PLA, is now able to obtain more accurate location and timing information than the U.S.’s GPS in the Asia-Pacific area. If reports are to be believed, this satellite network is likely to enhance the accuracy of Chinese military assets like missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other weapons. Also, it offers “short messaging” services to provide alternative forms of communication in wartime situations. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) can also utilize BeiDou’s short messaging feature as a secure means of communication.

Did China give live feeds of Indian military positions to Pakistan?

Last week, the Indian Army stated that during a clash with Pakistan back in May, China was feeding live feeds of Indian military positions to Pakistan. “When the DGMO (director general of military operations) level talks were going on, Pakistan … said that we know that your such and such important vector is primed and it is ready for action … he was getting live inputs from China,” Lieutenant General Rahul Singh said at a defence industry event in New Delhi, reported Reuters.

Is China preparing for space war? 27000 satellites to be used for…

China has launched its own low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite system, in imitation of Elon Musk’s Starlink. According to the South China Morning Post report, China has at least two low-Earth orbit communication satellite mega-constellations under development. One of them, Qianfan, also known as G60 Starlink, is provisions of a broadband constellation of 14,000 satellites provided by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology. Since last year, they have already launched approximately 90 satellites, and the plan is to complete this constellation by 2030.

At the same time, another promising space venture that China Satellite Network Group (CSNG) is developing is the Guowang, or national network, that hopes to have two sub-constellations of a total of 13,000 satellites. It started at the end of 2024, and as of June, 34 satellites have been launched in low-Earth orbit.

How can these satellites give an edge to China in war?

Similar to how Starlink provided connectivity to Ukrainian forces with satellite internet during the war against Russia, China’s satellite networks could provide its military strong and resilient connectivity during a conflict. With the advantage of high bandwidth and low latency, these networks provide an opportunity for significant improvements in command and control, situational awareness, and conducting joint operations on multiple domains, especially supporting unmanned systems in the rapidly evolving environment of drone warfare.

What is ISR? Who it is posing a threat to India and the US?

As per South Chins Morning Post report, China has operationalized multiple satellites equipped with ISR—Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance—capabilities. These include the Yaogan remote-sensing satellites with optical reconnaissance, synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) sensors. Yaogan are commonly believed to be specifically engineered for military reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Is China working on unmanned reusable spacecraft?

Moreover, China is also working on an unmanned reusable spacecraft, like the American X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, that can orbit planet Earth and remain for hundreds of days before returning home. The name of this secretive space plane is still classified, but many believe it might be the Shenlong, or Divine Dragon, a project on the country’s hi-tech development plan that has existed since the 1980s.

China is developing a reusable spacecraft called Tengyun, or Cloud Rider; it is designed to separate into two separate parts around 30-40 km (18-24 miles) altitude. One part (the first stage) will return to Earth, while the second part will continue into low-Earth orbit. The first test flight is expected in 2030.

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