--- title: "Report: Pentagon Working on Space-Based Anti-Satellite Tech" description: "Top Pentagon officials are pushing for the declassification of anti-satellite technologies capable of taking out adversary satellites and even spacecraft." date: "2021-08-20" modified: "2021-08-20" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/report-pentagon-working-on-space-based-anti-satellite-tech" categories: - "Space" tags: - "anti-satellite weapons" - "the digest" - "the pentagon" --- # Report: Pentagon Working on Space-Based Anti-Satellite Tech ![]() ## Anti-Satellite Top Pentagon officials are pushing for the declassification of anti-satellite technologies capable of taking out adversary satellites and perhaps even spacecraft, [*Breaking Defense* reports](). The military was poised to reveal the project, but the crisis in Afghanistan and the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have delayed the declassification, according to *Breaking Defense*. Since the project is classified, we still don't know what shape these technologies will end up taking, exactly. The weapon system could take the form of a ground-based mobile laser, or even a high-powered microwave system capable of jamming electronics from space. The news also comes shortly after the [US Army unveiled plans]() to develop, test, and deploy high-altitude systems that can jam enemy communications from up on high. ## Cold War 2 Russia is [actively working]() on anti-satellite technologies, and China is [rumored to be]() doing so as well. Several military space leaders therefore believe that the Space Force and Space Command should demonstrate their own ability to take out enemy satellites, *Breaking Defense* reports. It's a troublesome arms race. The US — as well as Russia and China — rely heavily on communications, GPS and reconnaissance satellite constellations in orbit. Critics of the move weren't impressed. "Great," Harvard astrophysicist and satellite tracker of fame Jonathan McDowell [tweeted]() in response to *Breaking Defense*'s report. "This will unfortunately encourage other countries to accelerate their own space weapons programs." Rather than making actual threats, experts believe that the US is just trying to deter possible conflict by demonstrating control of such a technology. But whether the country's Cold War-style deterrence tactic is working out is another question."The declassification thing is a disaster. \[…\] The genesis is supposedly for deterrence — but those doing it lack basic understandings of deterrence," an unnamed source told *Breaking Defense*. "It’s a f\*\*\*ing shitshow." **READ MORE:** [Pentagon Poised To Unveil, Demonstrate Classified Space Weapon]() \[*Breaking Defense*\] **More on space weapons:** *[The Army Plans To Build Balloons That Can Jam Comms from Above]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()