The Pentagon has expressed concern that Russia and China are developing weapons with the aim of striking US satellites.
As quoted by us from the Independent, Thursday (14/4/2022) the space fleets of China and Russia are claimed to have increased by more than 70% in the last two years.
China is accused of using technology obtained from abroad to advance its space projects so as to save costs. This country was particularly highlighted by the Pentagon.
"China has several laser weapons on the ground with varying degrees of power to interfere with or damage satellites, including currently limited capabilities to interfere with satellite sensors," the Pentagon report said.
"China may aim to develop weapons capable of damaging satellites up to GEO [geosynchronous Earth orbit], approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth and potentially disrupting communications and missile warning systems," they added.
China's Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the allegations. However, on the previous occasion, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that his party had always tried to bring peace in outer space.
"The United States is creating a narrative about the so-called threats by China and Russia in space in order to justify their own military build-up," he said.
Regarding Russia, the Pentagon says it also has a laser system to 'blind' American satellite sensors and by 2030, Russia may have a more sophisticated system that could threaten the structure of all satellites.
Not only that, Russia is said to be developing missiles to shoot satellites in low-Earth orbit. This kind of technology is considered dangerous because the satellite debris that is shot could threaten many other satellites in space.