US-China-Russia space competition

The competition for space dominance is evolving from commercial and infrastructure advancements toward direct military capability testing.

Initially, the focus centered on the commercial space race, with China’s LandSpace achieving its first rocket first-stage recovery to enable reusability, while Russia accelerated its ‘Rassvet’ satellite internet system. The United States responded by seeking to bolster its space infrastructure to support higher launch volumes by 2030.

This competition has since escalated into military-focused orbital maneuvers. The United States and China are developing technologies for satellite pursuit, capture, and interference, such as radio jamming or laser dazzling. Recent developments include a Chinese unmanned spacecraft performing maneuvers around other satellites and the United States and United Kingdom conducting their first joint military space operation to maneuver satellites near suspected Chinese assets.

This military competition is entering a new phase as Earth's orbit becomes an increasingly significant domain for confrontation. Capabilities are shifting toward the ability to track, approach, deactivate, or capture spacecraft. Recent observations by space monitoring company LeoLabs showed an unmanned Chinese spacecraft releasing a small satellite that performed maneuvers around another Chinese satellite before returning to its original vehicle, demonstrating an ability to actively modify trajectories.

Furthermore, emerging technologies such as on-orbit satellite refueling and repair are presenting significant military implications. A U.S. Space Force official noted that China reportedly attempted an in-space refueling operation last year. Mastering such capabilities could extend a satellite's operational life and enhance its ability to perform continuous maneuvers during potential orbital conflicts.