Stalkers in Space: Defeating the Threat

Brian G Chow 

English (PDF, 35 pages, 218 KB)

Since 2008, China has been developing a new antisatellite weapon that, once in orbit, can ‘tailgate’ and attack other systems. Unfortunately, and for different reasons, the author of this text doesn’t believe the US will be able to counter this threat. Worse yet, since “space stalkers” can’t be reliably distinguished from ordinary satellites, they can’t be banned. So what’s the solution? The author believes the US should declare and promote a new norm – i.e., any country that configures or readies space stalkers for attack is demonstrating hostile intent and should thus be preempted.