European nations are issuing stark warnings about escalating threats in space, as Russian and Chinese satellites are increasingly observed engaging in aggressive maneuvers near Western assets. German and British officials report that these activities include stalking, jamming, and potential intelligence gathering, raising concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in orbit.
The heightened tensions come amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has amplified the strategic importance of space-based systems for communication, navigation, and surveillance. This new reality is prompting a significant policy shift and increased defense spending across Europe to counter what is being described as a fundamental threat to national and collective security.
Key Takeaways
- Germany and the United Kingdom have reported frequent instances of Russian satellites stalking and jamming their space assets.
- German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius labeled Russia's space activities a "fundamental threat" and announced a multi-billion-dollar investment in Germany's space programs.
- China is considered an equal, if not greater, long-term threat due to its advanced capabilities, including satellites with robotic arms.
- In response, European nations like Germany, the UK, and France are increasing their space defense budgets and developing protective technologies, such as "bodyguard satellites."
A New Frontline in Orbit
Concerns that have been simmering for years are now boiling over. High-level officials in Europe are speaking publicly about the direct challenges posed by Russian spacecraft. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently highlighted a specific incident where two Russian reconnaissance satellites were seen tracking a pair of IntelSat satellites used by the German Armed Forces and its allies.
"Russia’s actions, especially in space, pose a fundamental threat to us all. A threat we can no longer ignore," Pistorius stated during a space industry conference in Berlin. He warned that both Russia and China have the ability to jam, blind, manipulate, or even physically destroy satellites.
The United Kingdom has echoed these concerns. Major General Paul Tedman, head of the UK Space Command, confirmed that Russian satellites are not only stalking British assets but are also conducting jamming operations on a weekly basis. "They’ve got payloads on board that can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them," Tedman explained.
What is Satellite Stalking?
Satellite stalking, or shadowing, involves one country maneuvering its satellite to fly in close proximity to another country's satellite for an extended period. This allows the stalking satellite to potentially intercept communications, gather intelligence on the target's capabilities, or position itself for a future disruptive action. Detecting these maneuvers is relatively straightforward, but determining the precise intent—whether for espionage or as a latent weapon—remains a significant challenge for space defense agencies.
Distinguishing Threats from Intelligence Gathering
Identifying the purpose of a foreign satellite is a complex task. According to Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), authorities often rely on a satellite's location, its proximity to other objects, and its historical behavior to infer its mission.
For instance, if a Russian satellite remains near a European communications satellite for a prolonged time, the logical assumption is that it is there to intercept signals. This behavior is not new. The United States and France began warning of similar Russian activities more than a decade ago.
The threat is not limited to espionage. Swope noted that in lower orbits, Russia has tested objects that behave like weapons by firing projectiles. This history means that when similar satellites are detected shadowing Western assets, they are viewed as a potential physical threat. "The Russians have a history of having those types of satellites shadowing other satellites in a way that people might think it’s a sleeper cell, waiting to strike at a moment’s notice," he said.
"It’s very hard to distinguish between a threat in the sense of a weapon and the threat in the sense of intelligence collection. Sometimes you really are guessing a lot about what the capabilities of a satellite are as well as the intentions of the operator."
Russia has also signaled a willingness to escalate tensions by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution in 2024 that aimed to prevent the development of space-based nuclear weapons. While President Vladimir Putin has denied any intention to deploy such weapons, the veto, combined with other activities, has deepened international mistrust.
China's Growing Space Prowess
While Russia's actions are an immediate focus for Europe, experts view China as a more significant long-term space power. Juliana Suess, a security policy researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, pointed out that "the much bigger space power is obviously China."
China has demonstrated highly sophisticated space capabilities that have raised alarms in the West. Analysts have observed Chinese satellites performing complex maneuvers with incredible speed and precision. One of the most notable examples is a Chinese satellite equipped with a robotic arm capable of grabbing another satellite and moving it into a different orbit—a technology with clear dual-use potential for both satellite servicing and anti-satellite warfare.
China's Space Ambitions
China's space program is advancing rapidly, with more financial resources than Russia's, which is currently strained by the war in Ukraine. Beijing's objectives are often less transparent than those of other spacefaring nations, leading to uncertainty among Western observers. The country's rapid development of diverse and complex space technologies keeps international defense agencies on high alert.
Unlike Russia, which may be reaching a plateau in space development due to resource constraints, China continues to invest heavily. "We’re not going to see much more space growth out of Russia at the moment. Their resources are far too stretched for that," Suess added.
Europe's Race to Respond
In response to these emerging threats, European governments are mobilizing resources. Germany has announced plans to budget up to €35 billion ($40.2 billion) for space projects over the next five years. A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that procurement for space-related measures will reach approximately €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) in 2025 and is expected to grow significantly.
Other European powers are also stepping up:
- The United Kingdom: The government has committed to increasing defense spending and is testing new sensors to detect laser threats against its satellites.
- France: Officials have been vocal about the need for "bodyguard satellites," dedicated spacecraft designed to protect other valuable assets in orbit.
NATO has formally recognized the strategic importance of this domain, declaring space an "operational domain" in 2019. This means that an attack on a member's space assets could trigger Article 5, the collective defense clause. However, some analysts argue that NATO's response needs to accelerate to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Despite the concerns, there is evidence that Russia's space capabilities may not be as seamlessly integrated into its military operations as once believed. Suess cited anecdotal evidence from Ukraine, such as a downed Russian fighter jet found with a commercial GPS unit taped to its dashboard alongside its built-in Russian navigation system. This suggests a potential lack of confidence in their own systems, a vulnerability that Western powers are likely noting as they build out their own space defense strategies.