US top rival could begin space war using low orbit laser weapons, threaten Western satellites

PLA's objectives include space dominance as Beijing has ability to control the space-enabled information sphere.zhangliams/PexelsKey TakeawaysChina has multiple ground-based laser weapons with varying power levels to disrupt, degrade, or damage satellites in LEO.By the late 2020s, China may field space-based directed energy systems and higher-powered ground-based directed energy systems capable of threatening satellites in higher orbits.China is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, capable of holding space systems at risk. A new report released by the United States has revealed that China could deploy laser weapons in space before 2030. The report released by Defense Intelligence Agency stated that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are developing, testing, deploying, and using space capabilities in a way that threatens the security of all space systems and their associated space benefits. Safe, secure, and sustainable space domain Titled Challenges to Security in Space, the report claimed that China and Russia are developing a formidable spectrum of offensive capabilities to degrade or destroy space services of other countries, from kinetic destruction to sophisticated jamming and cyber operations. These countries have exhibited behaviors that often run counter to a safe, secure, and sustainable space domain.Counterspace weapons can deny, jam, temporarily disable, or permanently incapacitate space assets, along with the vital services they provide. Military, civil, and commercial providers deliver space services that collectively can be held at risk by an actor with the intent to interfere with military space services, since commercial and civil space services sometimes have connections to certain military capabilities. Although many counterspace weapons or tactics are intended to degrade space services temporarily, others can damage or destroy satellites permanently, according to the report.Antisatellite (ASAT) missiles are designed to kinetically strike and destroy satellites. ASAT missiles could produce massive amounts of debris that can remain in orbit for decades or even centuries. Critical component to conduct modern “informatized warfare” The report also highlighted that PLA’s objectives include space dominance as Beijing has ability to control the space-enabled information sphere and deny its adversaries their own spacebased information gathering and communications capabilities. China views space dominance as a critical component to conduct modern “informatized warfare.”China has developed and will continue to advance weapons for use against satellites in orbit to disrupt, damage, and destroy other nations’ space capabilities.113,114 China continues to research, develop, test, and deploy multiple types of counterspace weapons, including ground-based ASAT missile systems capable of destroying satellites.Directed-energy weapons (DEWs) can temporarily or permanently blind imagery satellites and affect overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) and weather sensors, thereby denying the ability to monitor, track, and target forces.It’s also claimed that countries with nuclear weapons can launch a warhead on a long-range booster, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or space launch vehicle (SLV), and probably conduct a high-altitude nuclear detonation, or even place a nuclear weapon in space. In either case, a nuclear detonation in or near space would create widespread electromagnetic disruptions in space and on Earth, leading to potential damage or destruction of satellites.China is developing space launch capabilities to ensure it has an independent, reliable means to access space and to compete in the international space launch market. Beijing set a national record for space launches in 2025 with 93, including 25 commercial launches. There already have been 18 launches in the first quarter of 2026, with 6 being commercial launches.254 China is working to improve manufacturing efficiencies and launch capabilities, while trying to expand its human spaceflight and deep-space exploration missions, including to the Moon and Mars.China is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, capable of holding space systems at risk. To research space debris cleanup, China has launched multiple satellites, such as the Shijian-21 in GEO, to conduct scientific experiments and test space maintenance technologies. Such systems, including the Shijian-17, a satellite with a robotic arm, can be used for grappling other satellites. In January 2022, Shijian-21 moved a derelict BeiDou navigation satellite to a high graveyard orbit above GEO. In January 2025, China launched the Shijian-25 in GEO, which it claims will test orbital refueling and servicing capabilities.The report also underlined that China has multiple ground-based laser weapons with varying power levels to disrupt, degrade, or damage satellites in LEO. By the late 2020s, China may field space-based directed energy systems and higher-powered ground-based directed energy systems capable of threatening satellites in higher orbits. In January 2021, PLA media asserted that laser weapons were entering a golden age; they cited dazzling (i.e., temporarily blinding a sensor) as one of the many operational uses of laser weapons.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.