‘Dogfighting in space’: US warns of China’s advanced satellite maneuvers

• Gen. Michael Guetlein has alerted U.S. officials to China’s orbital “dogfighting” maneuvers, showcasing its space military prowess. China’s satellites are reportedly able to perform synchronized movements, enabling on-orbit operations.
• China is also developing satellites with “grappling arms” and conducting close inspections of U.S. assets, sparking interference concerns.
• The U.S. Space Force is prioritizing “space superiority,” adopting offensive measures to counter China and Russia’s advancing space capabilities.

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A top U.S. Space Force official is warning that China is conducting “dogfighting” maneuvers in orbit, signaling an advancement in its space-based military capabilities.

Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein says commercial satellite tracking systems have observed five Chinese satellites maneuvering in and out and around each other “in synchrony and in control” — a strategy reminiscent of aerial combat tactics. He says that these maneuvers demonstrate China’s ability to conduct “on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another.”

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What satellites were involved in the maneuvers?

The Space Force confirmed that the demonstration took place in 2024, and involved three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites along with two Shijian-6 05A/B spacecraft. The Shijian-6 systems conduct signals intelligence missions, gathering electronic data and intercepting communications from space.

What else is being developed by US adversaries?

Beyond synchronized maneuvers, Guetlein says China has also developed satellites with “grappling arms” that could be used to interfere with other spacecraft. Intelligence reports suggest that Chinese satellites have shadowed U.S. assets, maneuvering close enough to inspect them.

Guetlein also pointed to Russia’s expanding space capabilities, referencing a 2019 incident in which a Russian satellite released a smaller spacecraft that then performed “stalking maneuvers” near a U.S. satellite.

He also flagged Russia’s ongoing development of a nuclear weapon designed for space. Intelligence reports suggest the device could create a massive energy wave, potentially destroying multiple satellites and disrupting global communications.

Russia has previously demonstrated its ability to destroy satellites from Earth. In 2021, Moscow conducted an anti-satellite missile test, deliberately targeting and obliterating one of its own satellites. This resulted in a large debris field that temporarily threatened the International Space Station.

How is the Space Force responding to these threats?

Guetlein warns that the “capability gap used to be massive,” but has significantly narrowed. He stresses that if the U.S. does not change its approach to space, adversaries could gain the upper hand.

The Space Force has shifted its focus from passive defense to “space superiority,” which now includes offensive measures. The service has added “space control” to its core functions. It is actively developing capabilities to disrupt, degrade or destroy adversary space systems if necessary.

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Why does this matter for national security?

The growing competition in space is no longer just about military dominance — it directly affects global communications, navigation and defense operations.

U.S. officials say cyberattacks on space assets are now occurring regularly, with adversaries attempting to interfere with American satellites that control everything from GPS navigation to military surveillance.

Guetlein stresses that space can no longer be viewed as just a support domain — it has become a potential battleground.