Protecting the Heavens

On 11 January 2007, the People's Republic of China successfully flight tested an antisatellite (ASAT) weapon against one of their own weather satellites, obliterating the satellite and creating thousands of pieces of dangerous debris in low earth orbit. China's flight test brought the world's attention to China's ASAT capabilities and resulted in a variety of US domestic responses. Renewed cries for treaties banning space weapons were heard and calls for the development of US counterspace capabilities began to materialize among military professionals. This singular, but significant, strategic event raises important questions: Does the United States need to revise its space policies and strategies in light of China's developing ASAT space capability? And if so, what is an optimum strategy? These questions are not easy to answer and fraught with ramifications for US national security. Overestimating China's capabilities or misunderstanding their intentions could cause the United States to unnecessarily expend resources protecting U.S space systems. Conversely, underestimating the threat could result in the degradation or loss of US space systems in time of war or crisis, significantly hindering US military power. This paper will examine China's ASAT weapons programs and possible intentions. Based on this exploration of China's ASAT programs, the paper will evaluate potential US strategies, employing diplomatic, informational, military, and economic instruments of national power to influence decisions important to US national security.