Executive Summary

We assess that Anti-Satellite (ASAT) systems present a continuing international security challenge. While many space-enabled countries including the United States develop counter-space capabilities, China, Russia and India are fostering the development of offensive ASAT capabilities, guided by strategic imperatives of countering their adversaries.

ASAT systems are meant to disrupt or destroy a country’s satellite system. Given the importance of satellites for GPS, navigation, and communication in both civilian and military domains, the growing development of counterspace weapons highlights the importance of space in a contested security landscape.

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Image sources – ESA, NASA-JSC, Michael Peterson (USSF), Paul E. Reynolds