Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is increasingly becoming a militarized zone, as long-standing efforts to keep space a peaceful domain are fading. A 2024 operation observed by the US Space Force revealed China’s advanced capabilities, with multiple satellites performing synchronized movements, signaling a new phase in space dynamics.

The operation, referenced by US Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations, involved three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites and the Shijian-605 A and B spacecraft. “There are five different objects in space maneuvering in and out around each other, in synchronicity 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 explained.

A dogfight typically refers to close-range aerial combat between fighter jets, involving rapid and complex maneuvers enabled by atmospheric conditions like lift and drag. In space, however, the lack of atmosphere and friction poses unique challenges.

This event marked the first time multiple Chinese satellites were seen moving in sync, though China has previously conducted “rendezvous proximity operations,” where spacecraft approach and interact closely.

Unlike aerial dogfights involving fighter jets, spacecraft maneuvers in space are slower and more complex due to the lack of atmosphere and friction. Spacecraft must expel their own mass to generate thrust, making such movements costly and highlighting the sophistication of China’s in-orbit capabilities.

This event is part of a broader trend where space is increasingly seen as a domain for military advantage, with nations developing technologies to monitor, interact with, or potentially disable adversaries’ space assets.

What set this operation apart was the synchronized movement of multiple satellites, a first for China, though the country has conducted numerous “rendezvous proximity operations” (RPOs) in the past. RPOs involve spacecraft approaching each other closely to interact, often for purposes like inspection, repair, or, in military contexts, surveillance and potential interference.

Reports have also emerged in the past of Chinese satellites approaching and “stalking” US space assets, a term used to describe persistent tracking or shadowing of satellites, raising concerns about potential threats to critical infrastructure like communication and navigation systems. This behavior aligns with China’s broader space ambitions, which include developing anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, as demonstrated by its 2007 ASAT test that destroyed a defunct satellite, creating significant space debris.