EXCLUSIVE: China, Russia advance in Space Military Maneuvers
In MTF.TV exclusive, U.S. Space Force General Discloses China, Russia Advancements in Space Maneuvers, Raising U.S. Military Concerns.
U.S. Space Force General Discloses China, Russia Advancements in Space Maneuvers, Raising Military Concerns
BY KEVIN CIRILLI
Washington, D.C. – China has demonstrated advanced capabilities in satellite proximity operations, maneuvering multiple spacecraft satellites in close formation—a development that has raised concerns about potential military applications in space, U.S. Space Force military officials tell MTF.TV’s MEET THE FUTURE (MTF).
In recent years, China's military has demonstrated the ability to execute highly coordinated space operations that could be used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, or even anti-satellite attacks.
WATCH: MTF INTERVIEW WITH SPACE FORCE GENERAL.
China’s Space Maneuvers: What Happened?
According to commercially available satellite tracking data, China operated a cluster of five experimental satellites in a series of close-proximity movements throughout 2024:
March – April 2024: Three Shiyan-24C (SY-24C) satellites and two Shijian-6 05A/B (SJ-6 05A/B) satellites performed synchronized maneuvers, repeatedly approaching each other within 1 kilometer.
September 2024: Two satellites (SY-24C 02 & SY-24C 03) carried out three close approaches, two of which lasted multiple days.
December 2024: A critical event saw SY-24C 03 and SJ-6 05A come within just tens of meters of each other five separate times, moving at relative speeds of less than 10 cm per second.
After the December sequence, all five satellites returned to a holding pattern at over 100 km apart, mirroring maneuvering behavior observed throughout the year.
"They practiced attack approaches... Those are advanced patrols and advanced tactics," said U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, told MTF founder Kevin Cirilli in an interview in with the U.S. Space Force Association at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
"[China's Space Force is] being built not just to deliver services from space -- this is a PLA Space Force that's being built, trained, and ready to seize the ultimate high ground. And you know who they're trying to seize it from? Us. That's why your Space Force needs to be ready to do more than just protect and defend in outer space. Stories of playing defense are usually stories of losing."
MTF.TV’s MTF Space Power Breakfast brought together and convened industry leaders across public and private sectors, including representatives from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Deloitte, senior Congressional leaders, policymakers, network journalists and more.
Russia’s Space Maneuvers: What Happened?
Separately, last week Russian satellites appeared to be practicing advanced maneuvers in outer space, Gagnon told MTF, citing commercially available satellite data.
"They did that Thursday and Friday of last week -- what they're practicing is maneuvers in space... what they're practicing is attack and defend tactics so that they can increase the proficiency of their space force," Gagnon said. "Russia wants to take away our advantages in space and they don't care about collateral damage.
Why This Matters: Military Implications
These maneuvers go far beyond scientific research or commercial space operations. Experts say that China’s ability to precisely control satellite movements at such close distances could have significant military applications, including:
Intelligence Collection – Satellites could be used to inspect, track, or even eavesdrop on foreign spacecraft.
Co-Orbital Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Operations – These skills are essential for developing satellites that could disable, capture, or interfere with enemy space assets.
Electronic Warfare & Cyber Threats – Satellites in close proximity could disrupt communications or hack into adversary space systems.
The U.S. and its allies have long been concerned about China’s rapidly advancing space capabilities, particularly as Beijing has already tested kinetic ASAT weapons that can destroy satellites. This latest revelation underscores China’s growing ability to conduct non-destructive, highly sophisticated space operations that could neutralize enemy assets without creating space debris—a major escalation advancement in the militarization of space.
"President Xi has dramatically expanded the PLA's use of space... they have built this force that is second only to the United States," Gagnon told MTF. "They have built a purpose-built force to take away our advantages in space."
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ABOUT MTF.TV’s MEET THE FUTURE (MTF) —> MTF is a cutting-edge platform focused on addressing key challenges at the intersection of national security, technology, and business. With a mission to embrace freedom to meet the future’s challenges and opportunities, mtf.tv offers forward-thinking media offerings and forums.
ABOUT KEVIN CIRILLI: Kevin Cirilli is founder of MTF. Cirilli’s work has appeared on major broadcasting publications and he was a media fellow at the Atlantic Council. He is the former chief Washington correspondent of Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, and his work has been featured on CNN, Yahoo Finance, Scripps, CBS News, Fox News, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, SiriusXM and more.
