The US and France are preparing a second joint satellite
maneuver mission to boost allied space intelligence as China expands its
military presence in orbit.
Following its first-ever combined maneuver with two spacecraft in orbit late last year, which also involved France, the operation would be the Pentagon's third known mission carried out in space with an ally. Earlier this month, the U.S. Space Command and the United Kingdom carried out a joint operation.
As the world's leading space powers threaten an increasing number of satellites essential for communications, missile warning, and battlefield information, space is becoming a more disputed military realm.
Concerns have been raised that an attack during a conflict could interfere with GPS navigation or cut off communication lines that are vital to forces on Earth because China, Russia, and the United States have shown anti-satellite weapons and launched agile spacecraft.
Maneuvering spacecraft with sharper precision and marshalling international alliances have become key fronts in what officials regard as a new global space race, with the U.S. and its allies facing intense rivalry from China and Russia.
"We are planning an effort with France right now,"
Lieutenant General Douglas Schiess, commander of a U.S. Space Force component that works with Space Command to conduct secretive military space operations, told in an interview. He did not elaborate.
France is Europe’s largest government spender on space. Further operations with other nations could follow, he said, adding,
"I can see us doing more."
Western military space officials, including those from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, have been warning about the growing threats to a variety of satellites in space, from commercial satellite constellations like SpaceX's Starlink that are used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide to military assets.
Regarding any plans, French Space Command declined to comment. Regarding the first operation, it stated that it is training with the United States in order to "demonstrate our strategic solidarity," learn how to coordinate operations, and improve collaboration.
French Space Command "needs to prepare for military space operations in a real-life scenario," according to the service unit.
In a recent interview with Reuters in Paris, Major General Vincent Chusseau, the commander of the unit, stated,
"We consider it a success."
He declined to elaborate on the specifics of the first mission.
U.S. Space Command chief Stephen Whiting disclosed in April that the first exercise, dubbed a rendezvous and proximity operation, had a French and American military satellite approaching one another close to a "strategic competitor's" spacecraft. In his interview with Reuters last week, Schiess refused to name the third close satellite.
In a second operation between September 4 and September 12, a spacecraft operated by the U.S. Space Command moved to verify that a British military communications satellite, known as SKYNET 5A, was functioning as planned in orbit, the UK said. According to the UK, both satellites were in geostationary orbit, which is located at a height of around 36,000 kilometers above the Earth. They were moving at a speed of about three kilometers per second.
Comspoc, a commercial provider of space situational awareness software, reported that between September 5 and September 11, it saw a highly maneuverable U.S. surveillance satellite, USA 271, pass near the UK's SKYNET 5A. However, the two nations did not specify which U.S. satellite was involved in the operation with Britain.
When the operation was announced last week, the head of UK Space Command, Major General Paul Tedman, said the operation was a first of its kind for his unit and "represents a significant increase in operational capability." He added:
"We are now, with our allies, conducting advanced orbital operations to protect and defend our shared national and military interests in space."
What are the stated objectives of the upcoming US‑France satellite mission?
The purpose of the mission is to enhance joint allied
intelligence capabilities in space during this time of increasing military
competition, especially in terms of countering China's increasing military
presence in space.
The joint operations of satellites are focused on enhancing the ability of allied forces to observe and respond to threats in space, including the protection of vital satellite infrastructure.
In carrying out assured proximity operations with allied satellites, the mission will enhance the US and France's strategic partnership. It will increase interoperability and joint operational preparedness between satellites, which will establish the foundation for more collaborative missions in space going forward.