US shares intelligence on China and Russia’s space programs with allies – Times
Photo: The US shares data on the space programs of China and Russia with the Five Eyes alliance (Getty Images)
The US has begun sharing some of its most classified intelligence on Chinese and Russian space operations with the Five Eyes alliance, a move the US military has called landmark, The Times reports.
Space Delta 9's secret operations are now available to allies
Until April, the activities of Space Delta 9, an orbital warfare unit, were considered US citizens only and accessible only to those with the highest level of state security clearance.
However, amid growing concerns about China's militarization of space, the Pentagon has allowed British military personnel to observe their work at the US Space Force base Shriver in Colorado.
UK gains access to US space intelligence
In recent weeks, Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, deputy commander of NATO's Joint Air Command, has received data from a US program that monitors other satellites.
The US is concerned about the rapid development of Chinese and Russian space capabilities, especially Beijing's investment in intelligence.
China may use space to spy on US troops
Colonel Ramsey Horn, commander of Space Delta 9, said that they have to be prepared for the war that no one wants. If China decides to invade Taiwan, it can use satellites to track the movements of US troops.
At a briefing at the US Embassy in London, Horn noted that the US is capable of defeating enemies in space - this was a veiled warning to Beijing.
Development of weapons to protect satellites
The US is also reportedly developing space weapons to protect Western satellites from possible attacks. According to Horn, a decision was made to strengthen cooperation with partners in the Five Eyes alliance - the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - and to provide them with access to classified information about suspicious activity in space.
Mutual assistance between allies
Allies will be able to help the US address vulnerabilities in space, and America, in turn, will give them access to the developments gained over the past decade. The reclassification of intelligence has taken place very recently, intending to strengthen the partnership.
Dual-purpose satellites raise suspicion
Stringer was shown how the US is using high-precision cameras to take close-up pictures of Chinese and Russian satellites to determine whether they pose a threat.
Some of them may have a dual purpose - disguised as civilians, but in reality performing military functions. Horn asked if it's a communications satellite or does it has another purpose.
British officers may join Delta 9 mission
The US also wants to allow British military officers to participate in Delta 9 missions for the first time, in another step towards strengthening transatlantic ties.
Preparing for space warfare
If necessary, Delta 9 is ready to repel an enemy attack. Horn said they are more prepared than ever to conduct combat operations in space if someone decides to challenge us.
China is developing space surveillance network
Horn said that China has launched at least 66 satellites in the past year, more than in previous years. He also warned of the possible launch of a so-called destruction network by China - a system that tracks the positions of American troops around the world to use hypersonic weapons if necessary.
UK and US work on tracking hypersonic missiles
The US and UK are jointly developing technologies to better detect and track hypersonic missiles.
Despite the already close cooperation within the Five Eyes framework, some data remains so sensitive that countries share it only within their governments.
In March, NBC News reported that some US allies in the Five Eyes alliance were considering reducing the amount of intelligence they share with Washington because they feared the data would be passed on to Moscow.
