China is practicing ‘dogfighting’ in space, Space Force says

The service is “starting to see our near-peers focusing on practicing dogfighting in space with satellite-on-satellite” operations, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein said during the annual McAleese defense programs conference. 

“With our commercial assets, we have observed five different objects in space maneuvering in and out and around each other in synchrony and in control. 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,” he said. 

Following Guetlein’s comments, the Space Force confirmed he was referring to a series of Chinese satellite maneuvers in 2024 in low Earth orbit involving three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites and two Chinese experimental space objects, the Shijian-6 05A/B. 

While “dogfighting” traditionally refers to air-to-air combat between fighter jets, what that concept looks like in space—where the dynamics differ significantly—is less defined. Because there’s no friction or atmosphere, objects must rely heavily on thrusters to maneuver. 

Guetlein also outlined a number of other adversarial threats in orbit, including “nesting dolls” that could launch anti-satellite weapons, satellites that “shadow” U.S. satellites, and satellites equipped with grappling arms that can tow another satellite or hold it hostage. He also flagged Russia’s development of a nuclear weapon designed for space.

“Unfortunately, our current adversaries are willing to go against international norms of behavior, go against that gentleman's agreement, and they're willing to do it in very unsafe and unprofessional manners,” Guetlein said. 

The capability gap between the U.S. and its competitors has also “significantly narrowed,” he said, urging the U.S. to rethink its approach to space before adversaries gain the upper hand.

Guetlein’s comments follow aggressive calls from Space Force leaders for more resources to establish “space superiority” and use military force—including offensive weapons—to control the space domain. 

To get after the service’s new “space superiority” mission, Guetlein said the service needs to change its culture and training, and buy new kit. “We're only going to be as good as the amount of resources that we're willing to put towards space superiority,” he said.   ]]>