Five Chinese Satellites Engage in ‘Dogfighting’ Drills in Space: US Officials

Two US Space Force officials recently revealed that Chinese satellites were detected practicing “dogfighting” in space, simulating high-intensity maneuvers to enhance capabilities in potential orbital conflicts.

Gen. Michael Guetlein, the service’s vice chief of space operations, discussed the development at an annual defense conference in Virginia, stating that five Chinese satellites were observed performing coordinated movements, seemingly simulating orbital combat.

A US Space Force spokesperson added that the drill took place in low-Earth orbit, involving three Shiyan-24C satellites and two Shijian-6 05A/B experimental satellites.

“There are five different objects in space maneuvering in and out around each other, in synchronicity and in control,” he stated. “That’s what we call dogfighting in space. They are practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures to do on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another.”

The space simulation is seen as part of Beijing’s broader effort to develop capabilities aimed at denying, disrupting, or destroying US space assets.

‘Relatively New’

Colorado-based space tracking firm LeoLabs confirmed that Chinese satellites were observed performing synchronized maneuvers, a technique known as rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).

RPO involves precise navigation and control required for spacecraft to approach, dock with, or operate close to one another.

While such operations are not unprecedented, Guetlein noted that the ability to synchronize the movements of more than two satellites at once is relatively new.

This development adds to China’s growing list of novel space capabilities, potentially strengthening its military and strategic operations in space.

“The environment has completely changed. There used to be a capability gap between us and our near peers,” Guetlein explained. “That capability gap is significantly narrowing, and we’ve got to change the way we’re looking at space or that capability gap may reverse.”