A recent executive order aimed at bolstering U.S. military readiness has stalled, leaving a critical vulnerability unaddressed: the growing threat of hostile satellites capable of attacking American assets in orbit. Experts warn that without immediate, bipartisan action, the nation’s space infrastructure could be at risk within the next five years, with significant consequences for national security and the global economy.
Key Takeaways
- An executive order to enhance military readiness has not been acted upon, risking its potential due to partisan division.
- China is rapidly developing “space stalker” satellites designed to disable or destroy U.S. orbital assets.
- Analysts propose a focused, bipartisan project on space defense, specifically using “bodyguard” spacecraft, as a first step.
- The estimated cost to counter the immediate threat is $10 billion, a figure described as a critical investment to prevent trillions in potential losses.
A Mandate for Readiness Overlooked
The administration's 200th Executive Order was a clear call to action, invoking President George Washington’s principle that being prepared for war is the most effective way to preserve peace. The order mandates a focus on unmatched military power and readiness across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and space.
However, the initiative's momentum has been diverted by political rhetoric. Public discussion has centered on cultural issues within the Department of Defense rather than on tangible threats. This focus risks alienating potential bipartisan support, making a crucial national security effort dependent on which party controls the White House.
National security analysts argue that true readiness is not achieved by renaming departments or engaging in political debates. It requires a clear-eyed assessment of specific threats and the development of tailored, effective countermeasures. The current political climate presents a profound missed opportunity to unite lawmakers around a common, undeniable security goal.
The Looming Threat in Orbit
Among the many challenges facing the U.S. military, the most urgent may be orbiting silently above our heads. The threat comes from “space stalkers”—maneuverable spacecraft designed to approach, disable, or destroy critical satellites.
What Are Space Stalkers?
Space stalkers, also known as on-orbit anti-satellite weapons, are spacecraft capable of performing Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO). This allows them to get close to other satellites for purposes ranging from inspection and repair to outright attack. Their dual-use nature makes them a particularly complex threat to manage.
For nearly two decades, China has been persistently developing this capability. According to U.S. Space Force officials, these efforts are moving from theory to reality. In late 2023, five Chinese satellites were observed practicing aggressive “dogfighting” maneuvers in orbit, a clear demonstration of advanced RPO capabilities.
The concern is that a swarm of these stalkers could be used as a precursor to a larger conflict. By disabling U.S. satellites that provide vital communication, navigation, and intelligence services, an adversary could effectively blind the American military and its allies, creating an opening for a terrestrial attack, such as an invasion of Taiwan.
Analysts estimate that a swarm of just 200 rudimentary space stalkers, likely achievable by China within five years, could be sufficient to disable approximately 100 critical U.S. satellites, severely degrading military and civilian infrastructure.
General B. Chance Saltzman, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, has acknowledged this danger and initiated programs to address it. However, the U.S. is considered to be significantly behind China in this specific area of space weaponization.
A Bipartisan Path Forward: The Bodyguard Solution
To break the political stalemate and address the stalker threat, experts propose a focused, high-impact initial project: the development and deployment of “bodyguard” spacecraft. These defensive satellites would be pre-stationed near high-value American assets in orbit.
The concept of operations is straightforward. The U.S. would publicly declare a “Space Self-Defense Zone” around its protected satellites. Any unauthorized or hostile craft entering this zone could be intercepted, inspected, and neutralized by a bodyguard spacecraft if necessary.
“Using bodyguard spacecraft to protect our satellites is likely to be the only stalker defense that can be ready in a timely manner and in a non-escalatory way.”
The technology for these bodyguards already exists. Numerous American companies, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Anduril, are developing dual-use spacecraft with the RPO capabilities essential for such a mission. U.S. allies like France, the UK, Japan, and Australia are also openly working on similar technologies, creating an opportunity for international cooperation.
Overcoming a Semantic Hurdle
Interestingly, U.S. officials have been hesitant to use the term “bodyguard,” reportedly viewing it as too offensive-sounding. This is despite the fact that allies use the term freely and U.S. military leaders acknowledge the development of dual-use technologies.
In April 2025, General Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, confirmed the U.S. is developing tools that “may also be used to disable or disrupt enemy systems.” This confirms the capability, even if the terminology is avoided. Analysts suggest that embracing the term would provide clarity and signal serious intent to potential adversaries.
The Cost of Inaction vs. Investment
The proposed project to establish an initial defense against a stalker swarm carries an estimated price tag of $10 billion. While a significant sum, it is presented as a relatively low-cost insurance premium when compared to the potential consequences of inaction.
A successful attack on U.S. space assets could lead to a political catastrophe, such as the failure to defend Taiwan, and trigger economic losses estimated in the trillions of dollars. Global supply chains, financial markets, and communication networks all depend heavily on satellite infrastructure.
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
- Investment: Approximately $10 billion for a bodyguard satellite defense system.
- Risk of Inaction: Potential economic damages in the trillions of dollars and a significant geopolitical crisis.
- Benefit: Maintaining stability in space, protecting critical infrastructure, and deterring aggression.
Focusing the stalled Executive Order on a concrete, high-benefit project like space readiness offers a path out of the current political quagmire. It addresses a clear and present danger, leverages American technological prowess, and has the potential to garner support from both sides of the aisle.
The urgency is compounded by China's stated timeline. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to have the capability to seize Taiwan by 2027. An attack on U.S. satellites could be the first move in such a scenario, making the next few years a critical window to close this vulnerability.
The choice is clear: invest a fraction of the defense budget now to protect essential assets, or risk a future where the U.S. is unable to act, with devastating consequences for the entire free world.