Latest news with #USSpaceForce
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing Secures Strategic Satellite Deal, Cementing Role in U.S. Space Defense Infrastructure
Boeing (NYSE:BA) is one of the best space stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On July 3, 2025, Boeing secured a significant $2.8 billion contract with the U.S. Space Force to develop and produce the first two, and potentially up to four, Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) vehicles, integral to the nation's next-generation nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture in geostationary orbit. Angelo Giampiccolo/ ESS satellites will inherit proven tech from Boeing's Wideband Global SATCOM and O3b mPOWER programs, ensuring a low-risk, high-performance deployment. Work is slated through 2033 out of El Segundo, CA, and includes $100 million in initial R&D funding. Boeing is a global aerospace titan, designing and manufacturing commercial jets (737, 787), military aircraft, satellites, and space tech like the CST‑100 Starliner, plus offering defense, security, and services across commercial and government sectors. While we acknowledge the potential of BA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
China's military goes all out in space
China views space as a critical military domain, just as it does the land, sea and air. While China's space program is a source of national pride, its authoritarian leader Chairman Xi Jinping aims to displace the USA as the leading space power. This explains the enormous investment Beijing is pouring into scientific, civil and military space assets. So what progress is China making? The US Space Force , in an updated space threat fact sheet published in April, described China's and Russia's advances as "a serious threat to US national security interests in, from and to space". In fact, the release warned starkly, "China is the pacing challenge and is rapidly improving its space capabilities to track and target US military forces. China and Russia are pursuing a wide range of counter-space capabilities to disrupt and degrade US space capabilities." The statistics are certainly impressive. Last year, China conducted 68 space launches. Cumulatively, these rocket launches placed 260 individual payloads into orbit, of which 67 - or 26 per cent - were satellites capable of performing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Phenomenally, China's on-orbit presence has snowballed 620 per cent in the past decade. It now has more than 1,060 satellites in orbit, which is 875 more than it had in 2015. Of this array of satellites, more than 510 can perform ISR for the People's Liberation Army ( PLA ) using a range of optical, multispectral, radar or radiofrequency sensors. Live Events Such a satellite network can comb the Earth's surface looking for American aircraft carriers, air wings or other expeditionary assets, for example. A significant example of such an ISR satellite is the remote-sensing TJS-12 launched into geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) in December 2024. The US Space Force claimed, "The satellite could allow China to persistently monitor US and allied forces in the Pacific region." Dr Andrew Erickson, Professor of Strategy at the US Naval War College, commented, "Of fundamental concern is the sheer number of satellites China now has in orbit, particularly for ISR, as part of its systematically building out a comprehensive, capable reconnaissance-strike complex." To rival the likes of Starlink, China is also creating a proliferated constellation of G60 communications satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). By early 2025, 72 were already orbiting the Earth, with 648 expected by year's end. Later, by 2030, a planned 14,000 of these communications satellites will be encircling the Earth. Another Chinese company, the China Satellite Network Group, launched ten communications satellites in 2024, the first of a planned proliferated LEO constellation of 13,000 satellites. Incidentally, after observing Ukraine's use of Starlink in its war against Russia, China is concerned about that network and SpaceX 's relationship with the US government. It fears, perhaps in an overreaction, that these satellites could transmit data and engender new combat styles for the USA. Weapon targeting is another critical utilisation of Chinese space-based assets. Concernedly, the US military stated, "China's improving space-based capabilities combine with the PLA's growing arsenal of long-range precision weapons to enable long-range precision strikes against US and allied forces." In 2015, China publicly announced space was "a new domain of warfare". At that time, it organised space capabilities under the newly formed PLA Strategic Support Force, although this was duly dissolved on 19 April 2024. For managing space assets, it was superseded by the PLA Aerospace Force , whose purpose is leveraging outer space for warfare - such as providing imagery, performing reconnaissance, collecting intelligence, enhancing the accuracy of strikes, and enhancing communications - as well as denying space to adversaries. The importance of the Aerospace Force is seen in the fact that it is directly subordinated to the Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest military body in China. John Costello, writing an assessment for The Jamestown Foundation think tank in the USA, said the Aerospace Force does not strictly align with the PLA's regional theatre command construct. This indicates its strategic and functional mission, he asserted. The PLA Aerospace Force has seven primary "space bases", complemented by various bureaus and specialised centres that assure and support space missions. The seven bases are as follows, and their names speak to the type of missions the force performs. Base 23 is the China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Control Department in Jiangsu Province. Base 25 is the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the mountains of Shanxi Province, and Base 26 is the Xi'an Satellite Control Centre in Shaanxi Province. Base 27 is the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province, whereas Base 35 is the newly formed Battlefield Environment Support Base in Wuhan. Base 36 is Kaifeng Base in Henan Province, and it appears focused on space equipment research and development, testing and evaluation, according to Costello. Finally, Base 37 is the Early Warning Base in Lintong, Shaanxi Province. Its mission is space situational awareness, missile early warning and tracking space debris and satellites. Base 37 is thus in charge of several large phased-array radar sites across China to provide an overall picture of space activity and to detect foreign ballistic missiles. Costello commented, "The establishment of the PLA Aerospace Force is more than an administrative reform. It is a strategic statement about how the PRC views the role of space in modern military competition. In Chinese military literature, space is frequently referred to as the 'commanding heights' of future warfare, and the Aerospace Force's creation demonstrates the PLA's resolve to secure that high ground." Costello discerned several implications about China's space warfare intentions. One is that space is integral to PLA operations. "By placing all military space capabilities under one service, the PLA seeks to ensure that space assets can be centrally managed and rapidly brought to bear in a conflict. As with the parallel Cyberspace Force and Information Support Force, the Aerospace Force is a bellwether of conflicts Beijing is preparing for." If China ever invades Taiwan, for instance, then the force would play a pivotal role from the outset. The PLA would attempt to secure space for its own use whilst simultaneously denying it to others. As Costello observed, "This reflects their doctrinal view that the US military heavily relies on satellite capabilities, succinctly captured in the phrase 'no satellite, no fight'." Of course, reliance on space is a double-edged sword, for as China enhances its own capabilities, it becomes vulnerable to enemy action too. The author noted, "During initial phases of a conflict, the Aerospace Force would deploy navigation satellites to guide precision missile strikes, use ISR satellites for target acquisition, and employ anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons to disable or destroy enemy command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities." The second implication highlighted by Costello is that the Aerospace Force "provides centralised space intelligence and attack capabilities, unencumbered by inter-service rivalries. Its technical reconnaissance satellites and the processing centres that interpret their data are unified, theoretically enabling faster targeting cycles and a more complete situational picture for decision-makers." Thirdly, the writer contended that the Aerospace Force "emphasises space control and counter-space". Its broad mission set encompasses space combat, and the PLA is becoming bolder and more provocative in its space behaviour. Costello added, "With the Aerospace Force in charge, such activities (e.g., closely shadowing foreign satellites and testing co-orbital inspector satellites that could double as weapons) may further intensify under a clear military chain of command." Indeed, it is worth exploring this topic of counter-space further. China, although claiming its space activities have peaceful intent, is undoubtedly pursuing the ability to degrade or deny the use of space to countries like the USA. The US Space Force assessed, "Intelligence suggests the PLA likely sees counter-space operations as a means to deter and counter US military intervention in a regional conflict. Moreover, PLA academics stress the necessity of 'destroying, damaging and interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance... and communications satellites' to 'blind and deafen the enemy'." China has already demonstrated its ASAT proclivities. In 2007 it shot down a defunct weather satellite in LEO, creating streams of unwanted debris that will remain in space for decades to come. The Pentagon assessed, "That missile evolved into an operational ground-based system intended to target LEO satellites. The PLA actively trains on this system today." Furthermore, China intends fielding ASAT weapons with far greater reach, extending even to GEO satellites 36,000km away. In fact, China launched a ballistic object in 2013 that peaked at 30,000km, which is suggestive that China already possesses such a capability. This means practically no satellite is safe from China's reach. In addition, China has developed and is experimenting with inspection and repair systems that could function as weapons. For example, in January 2022 the Shijian-21 satellite moved a derelict BeiDou navigation satellite into a graveyard orbit above GEO. The US noted, "This technology could be used in future systems to grapple other satellites." US officials have described some radical Chinese satellite manoeuvres as "dogfighting" in space. Such manoeuvrable objects could approach an adversary's satellites and physically interfere with, damage or dazzle them. Indeed, multiple Chinese SJ- and TJS-series experimental satellites have been observed conducting unusual, large and rapid manoeuvres. As just one example, a TJS-2 satellite was tracked maneuvering at a rapid speed of 44m/s. China may be learning to refuel satellites too. The US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) acknowledged, "China continues to launch and operate highly manoeuvrable satellites, demonstrating an advanced level of technological and operational acumen that, if not already deployed for such purposes, could enable a formidable on-orbit counter-space arsenal. Through the use of these satellites, Chinese operators are gaining experience in developing tactics and procedures that can be used for space warfighting, to include both defensive and offensive advanced space operations." Erickson pointed out too, "While America and its allies have capable countermeasures of their own, it is no longer credible to claim that Beijing may lack essential architecture for targeting its long-range precision strike systems, which include the world's most numerous conventional ballistic and cruise missiles." On the ground, China also has multiple laser weapons able to target sensors on enemy satellites. The US Space Force warned, "By the mid- to late 2020s, they could have higher-power systems able to damage satellite structures." As well, PLA military exercises routinely rehearse employing jammers against space-based communications, radars and navigation systems like GPS. Notably, the US said in its April report, "Intelligence suggests the PLA may be developing jammers to target satellite communications over a range of frequencies, including US military protected extremely high-frequency systems." Returning to Costello's implications of the PLA Aerospace Force's growing capabilities, he highlighted the organization's technological advancements. "The Aerospace Force is able to champion cutting-edge technologies vital for the next generation of warfare. Whether deploying satellite constellations for global surveillance, developing directed-energy weapons to target satellites, or fielding rapid-launch 'responsive space' capabilities, the Aerospace Force provides a focused command to drive these projects." The aforementioned laser ASATs are one example of this. Another instance of advancing technologies is China's three reusable spaceplane launches to date. The first stayed in orbit just two days, but the second and third remained in space for approximately nine months each. The US pointed out that they released "unidentified objects". Simultaneously, China "has made significant strides in developing reusable space launch vehicles". This includes a successful 12km-high vertical-take-off-and-landing test done last year. Reusable rockets are a key technology for meeting China's proliferated LEO constellation plans. Although China is weak in terms of globally spread ground-based space situational awareness sensors - particularly because it does not have the global heft or international alliances to host such stations as the USA does - it has at least ten space-based space situational awareness satellites that do the same job. Chinese government statements conceal the true purposes of its innumerable satellites, especially the more esoteric ones. However, it is clear that Xi and the PLA are reaching upwards to dominate space in times of peace and of war. After all, whoever controls space controls the initiative in war. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
China's huge step in space that could have chilling impact if war breaks out
A tense space race is currently underway between NASA and China - with China now taking the lead in a move that could see it become able to disrupt the satellites' of other nations while in space China has taken one huge step in its space mission which could have a chilling impact here on Earth, and allow China to completely shut down communications and other vital infrastructure in a conflict scenario. Two of its satellites, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, appear to have docked together in the country's first attempt to refuel a satellite in orbit. The satellites performed the manoeuvre more than 20,000 miles above the Earth while in geosynchronous orbit - which matches the pace of the rotation of the planet. There haven't been any updates from Beijing on the move, but civilian satellite trackers show them closing in on each other until they merge in to one. According to Ars Technica, the two satellites docking in geosynchronous orbit could show China now has the technology to disable a satellite belonging to another country while in space. If another country's satellites were to be disabled in conflict, it could cause mass disruption - impacting everything from communication to navigation, weather forecasting and could even cause certain industries to shut down. The US Space Force is reportedly not far behind in its own research into orbital refueling. This is due to military satellites often having limited supplies. Next summer, the military wing of America's space exploration industry expects to perform its first refueling of a military asset. After the Chinese satellites docked, two of the Space Force's inspector satellites were seen moving towards them. Military and commercial satellites often choose geosynchronous orbit - which is at an altitude of around 22,236 miles - because it gives them a fixed view of a planet. It helps military forces detect early warnings of missile attacks. In April, China successfully launched three astronauts into space on a mission to re-staff its in-orbit space station. Staff who work at the launch site as well as some of their families and other members of the public gathered in organised lines to watch the rocket take-off. The launch of China's Shenzhou-20 was seen as a ramping up of a tense space race between NASA and China to create bases on the moon, and from there, lift off to Mars. The far side of the moon is an increasingly popular destination. Images show the three astronauts - or taikonauts as they are called in China - waving to adoring crowds and onlookers at the aunch event. The Shenzhou 20 mission's astronauts are Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director general of China Manned Space Agency, said. They were replacing three astronauts on the Chinese space station. The launch took place from Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, in northwestern China. Like those before them, they will stay there for roughly six months. The three-person crew were sent in October last year and have been in space for 175 days, said Lin.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
US general warns China is winning the military space race
China's space-based military technology is developing 'breathtakingly fast' with US forces at risk of the 'kill chain', Washington has warned. Beijing have been catching up in the arms race to develop missile technology that can be sent from space at a 'very concerning rate', the top commander of the US Space Force (USSF) added. The so-called kill chain - which identifies, tracks and attacks a target - could be used on US and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific as well as 'over-the-horizon' precision strikes, General Stephen Whiting told The Telegraph. The warning comes only a month after Donald Trump unveiled his own plans for a $175 billion 'Golden Dome' defence system which he says will protect the US from the world's most powerful weapons. The integration of space-tech with China's army, navy and air force has made them 'more lethal, more precise and more far-ranging' - and could take the lead from the US in the space-arms race. Earlier this year, the USSF said that China had conducted several synchronised satellite manoeuvres in low Earth orbit, also known as 'dogfighting'. 'They are practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures to do on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another,' General Michael Guetlein, the Deputy Chief of US Space Operations at the USSF, said. He added: 'There used to be a significant capability gap between the United States and our adversaries, driven by our technological advantage. '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.' China has more than 500 satellites capable of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), with 67 sent up in the last year alone, the USSF said in 2024. The 'space enabled services' are broken down into three units - a cyberspace army, an aerospace force, and an information support arm. While America have around 8,000 satellites in space compared to China's 1,000 in total, Chinese scientists have also recently developed what is considered the world's most powerful satellite tracking camera. Pictured: Stephen Whiting. The technology is able to take pictures with millimetre level accuracy more than 60 miles away. Chinese satellites are also working towards counter-weapons development that would see other satellites jammed, destroyed or 'spoofed' - which is where the GPS receiver is misled or manipulated. Exerts have previously warned that the US is underprepared for such developments, with the first test done in 2008 where a satellite in space was shot down with a missile on the ground. But the latest developments could redirect drones, disable munitions or missiles and shut down crucial infrastructures. China's long-range weapons that strike with precision 'depend on space' and is how Beijing 'closes its kill chain', the USSF commander of the Indo-Pacific region, Gen Anthony Mastalir, has previously warned. Trump's Golden Dome proposal was 'long overdue' and 'absolutely necessary' amid growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia, experts said at the time. But Beijing warned that the plan to put US weapons into the earth's orbit for the first time 'heightens the risk of space becoming a battlefield, fuels an arms race, and undermines international security.' Meanwhile Moscow called for Washington to make contact regarding the programme - to which Trump said he would do so 'at the right time'.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Mark Carney is trapped under Donald Trump's Golden Dome
Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, won over a gullible electorate in April by promising to defend Canada's independence from Donald Trump. He pledged to increase defence spending and boost domestic manufacturing, and bluntly told the US president that Canada was 'not for sale' at a meeting in the Oval Office. Unfortunately for Carney, the rhetoric was easier than the reality. Consider the case of the Golden Dome. Trump signed a large number of executive orders when he returned to the White House in January, including the announcement of an 'Iron Dome for America'. Inspired by Ronald Reagan's unrealised plan to build a defence system against nuclear weapons, it would help protect the US from the 'threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks'. Fittingly, given Trump's penchant for gold, the president's Iron Dome was effectively renamed the Golden Dome in May (perhaps also to distinguish it from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system). The estimated cost has been put at $175 billion (£147 billion), with a down-payment of $25 billion (£18.2 billion) included in a Republican reconciliation spending bill. The project will be headed up by General Michael Guetlein, with the US Space Force, and will apparently take three years to construct. Some are sceptical that the Golden Dome can be built on time and on budget. The congressional budget office has suggested the real costs for constructing constellations of space-based interceptors could be in the range of $161 billion (£117 billion) to $542 billion (£395 billion) over 20 years. Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican Senator, predicted the final price tag could reach 'trillions of dollars'.
