Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian air defenses repel Israeli attack on military site in Shiraz.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Iran reports the activation of air defenses over Kashan.
IRGC: Operation to transport handmade bombs foiled in Gilan, north of Iran.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian police says dismantled "electronic bomb" in west Tehran.
Israeli media: Drone explodes in Route 90 in Arraba after interception attempts failed.
Israeli media: A wave of drones since morning, with 10 drones infiltrating so far.
Israeli media: Drone still flying in Wadi Araba near Ramon Airport, south of Occupied Palestine, efforts to intercept it have failed.
Israeli media: Direct hit from drone on building in Beit She'an.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Beit She'an in Jordan Valley, amid fears of drone infiltration, explosions heard.
Mansouri: Iran's defensive capabilities far exceeded Israeli entity's expectations.

China will launch 12,992 satellites into orbit to rival SpaceX

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Apr 2023 09:52
3 Min Read

Following the weaponization of space by the US through SpaceX in Ukraine, China has made the decision to rival Elon Musk's company.

  • x
  • China
    Visitors stand near a giant screen displaying images of the Tianhe space station at an exhibition featuring the development of China's space exploration on the country's Space Day at China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing, China April 24, 2021. (Reuters)

Amid calls from the Chinese military community to accelerate the creation of a national network, China announced that it will launch 12,992 satellites into orbit. US media reported that these new satellites will rival Elon Musk's Starlink, which was launched through SpaceX and proved highly capable militarily in the Ukrainian conflict.

The Washington Post cited a Beijing academic familiar with the Chinese project as saying, "The Starlink constellation has finally shown its military colors in the Russia-Ukraine conflict."

Despite SpaceX having said, in February, that the technology was not supposed to be weaponized, the Ukrainian military admitted that it was using the previously dubbed civilian satellite program to live-stream drone feeds, improving artillery accuracy.

Most recently, in December of last year, China's fears were further triggered after SpaceX revealed the anticipated launch of a new project called Starshield, which Chinese researchers discovered would be as good as having installed a surveillance camera network around the globe.

According to the Washington Post, China has accelerated the Guowang project, the State Network, and explored defensive measures against "Starlink-type foreign satellites."

China condemns US' weaponization of space

Related News

Trump-Musk feud sends Tesla stock plunging

Gulf investments quietly boosted Elon Musk and family fortunes

After the Pentagon issued a new policy that makes space a "priority domain of national military power," China accused Washington of seeking to militarize outer space. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, spoke to reporters at a Wednesday briefing regarding Washington's directive in a newly-released document that it may start military operations in space.

“For a long time, the US has openly defined space as a war-fighting domain. It has built the US Space Force and Space Command, developed and deployed space-based offensive weapons, conducted offensive and defensive military exercises and technology tests, and intensified military cooperation with its allies,” Mao said, stressing that “this has heightened the risks of military miscalculation and conflict.”

The spokesperson, furthermore, accused Washington of blocking a "space arms control initiative" which was led by Russia and China, further increasing the possibilities of "turning outer space into a weapon and battlefield."

According to the new US directive, the Pentagon should “protect and defend the use of space for US national security purposes,” as well as “deliver advanced space capabilities to deter conflict and, if deterrence fails, to counter and defeat aggression.”

Regarding the document, Mao stressed that its implications pose "a grave challenge to the peace and security of outer space,” and “fully exposes the US ambition of increasing military build-up and war preparedness… in outer space.”

“The US should respect the shared concerns of the international community, immediately stop the negative moves that could undermine security of outer space, step up to its due responsibilities and stop hindering negotiations for a legal instrument on arms control in outer space,” she added.

Read more: China to become 'militarily superior' to US by 2049: Top US general

  • SpaceX
  • Starlink satellite
  • US
  • China
  • Starshield
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A motorcycle is on fire after an Israeli drone strike targeted it in the southern Lebanese village of Baraachit, June 20, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon lead to casualty, martyr

An Israeli military vehicle before it was targeted in Operation Breaking the Sword in Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Gaza Resistance pounds invading Israeli forces in joint operations

Israeli occupation forces and emergency teams work next to an unpopulated building after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Haifa, occupied Palestine, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran bombs Israeli Interior Ministry in tit-for-tat response

A man is evacuated by an Israeli emergency team after a missile from Iran hits in Haifa, Israel, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

1,217 injured in 'Israel' from Iran retaliation amid rising tensions

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS