The United States Space Force (USSF) has revealed that China has been conducting a series of synchronized satellite maneuvers in low Earth orbit, prompting concerns over potential space warfare capabilities.
General Michael A. Guetlein, the Deputy Chief of US Space Operations at the USSF, has reported that five experimental satellites and space objects carried out “coordinated maneuvers” in low Earth orbit last year, signaling a potential shift in space warfare tactics.
“With our commercial assets, we have observed five different objects in space maneuvering in and out and around each other in synchronicity and in control,” General Guetlein stated during the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington. “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.”
A spokesperson for the USSF later clarified that China had carried out the maneuvers in question. They stated that China conducted a series of proximity operations in 2024 involving three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites and two Shijian-6 05A/B experimental space objects, which were observed in low Earth orbit.
The reality of “dogfighting” in space
The concept of “dogfighting” in space differs greatly from traditional aerial combat. Unlike fighter jets engaging in high-speed tactical maneuvers, space objects operate under the constraints of orbital mechanics. Movements from one point to another can take days or even weeks, making space warfare a slow and deliberate process. However, the ability of satellites to conduct controlled, synchronized maneuvers suggests advancements in space-based military capabilities.
For General Guetlein, these recent developments highlight an alarming trend.
“There used to be a significant capability gap between the United States and our adversaries, driven by our technological advantage,” Guetlein warned. “That gap, once massive, has narrowed considerably. If we don’t change our approach to space operations, we risk seeing that gap reverse, putting us at a disadvantage.”
US Space Force calls for increased investment
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on March 12, 2025, General Guetlein warned lawmakers that the US Space Force was still under-resourced despite its critical role in national security.
Guetlein emphasized that, at just five years old, the Space Force was created to protect US interests in space but faces growing challenges as adversaries enhance their capabilities, already disrupting satellite communications, jamming GPS signals, and developing anti-satellite weapons, making space an increasingly contested domain.
Guetlein also pointed out that the Space Force currently operates with only 15,000 Guardians and just 3.5% of the Department of Defense budget. He argued that while the US is maintaining space superiority for now, it is doing so with limited resources, warning that continued underfunding could jeopardize the nation’s ability to defend its assets in orbit.
“The strategic choices we make today will determine whether space remains a domain for peace and progress or becomes a contested battleground for future conflict,” he told the committee.
China’s growing military presence in space
China has long been excluded from international space cooperation due to concerns over espionage. However, its advancements in space technology and military applications continue to draw attention. In April 2021, the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence published a report warning of China’s development of counter-space weapons capable of targeting satellites operated by the US and its allies.
“Beijing is working to match or exceed U.S. capabilities in space to gain the military, economic, and prestige benefits that Washington has accrued from space leadership,” the report stated. “Counterspace operations will be integral to potential military campaigns by the PLA [People’s Liberation Army], and China has counter-space weapons capabilities intended to target U.S. and allied satellites.”
As space becomes an increasingly contested domain, the United States, its allies and rivals are rapidly advancing their military capabilities. The once-uncontested peaceful nature of outer space is now being challenged by the deployment of more aggressive technologies. In recent years, the idea of space as the fourth battlefield, joining land, sea, and air, has gained traction, highlighting the vulnerability of space reliance by both civilian and military sectors and underscoring the urgent need for strategic adaptation and investment in space security.