A graphic released by the Royal Air Force describing the rendezvous proximity operation that took place between a US satellite and the UK’s Skynet 5A spacecraft in September 2025. Photo: website of Royal Air Force
The US Space Command recently maneuvered one of its spacecraft to examine a military communications satellite operated by the UK. The event was reported by the US space news portal space.com on local time Monday, and the report claimed that while the operation was “peace in nature between allies of Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender,” it does demonstrate that “the US military is capable of maneuvering close to other nations’ satellites if need be.”
Chinese space affairs observers told the Global Times on Tuesday that the maneuver reflects military showing off and a clear intent of US space militarization, which they said are concerning and warrant vigilance from the international community.
The maneuver took place between September 4 and 12 at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers in geostationary orbit, where satellites remain fixed over a point on Earth. Both spacecraft were traveling at a speed of about 11,000 kilometers per hour during the operation, space.com reported citing a statement from the Royal Air Force (RAF).
The operation was a rendezvous proximity operation, or RPO, in which one spacecraft maneuvers into the same orbit near another spacecraft in order to inspect, repair, or dock with it, per report of space.com.
“This operation was a first of its kind for UK Space Command and represents a significant increase in operational capability,” said Major General Paul Tedman, commander of UK Space Command, in the Royal Air Force statement. The commander of both US Space Command and Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender, General Steven Whiting, claimed the operation demonstrates the “warfighting advantage” this space security coalition, including a “shared pledge to fight and win shoulder-to-shoulder, if necessary,” according to a US Space Command statement.
Chinese space observers noted the irony of the muscle-flexing maneuver and its high-profile publicity, stressing the move also warrants vigilance. The US has long attempted to hype the “China space threat” narrative, but its own public move itself sends a clear signal of space militarization, they said.
The RPO is not frequently reported by US media, but it is definitely not a secret that the US Space Force could maneuver a spacecraft to get close to a target spacecraft to carry out operations including monitoring and even capturing the target, Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
The report claimed that while “this was a peaceful RPO, it no doubt sends a message to potential adversaries that the US and its allies can get up close and personal with other nations’ satellites if necessary.”
“Unveiling such capabilities is meant to signal allies that many US military satellites possess this technology, while attempting to warn countries that the US views as competitors or adversaries,” Wang noted.
Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert, also highlighted that the RPO took place at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers, the geostationary orbit, home to communications satellites and other key space assets such as parts of navigation and meteorological systems.”The self-claimed peaceful move could indicate strong offensive risks for other country’s space assets,” he said.
The US clearly has the intention to extends its hegemony into the space domain, however, such RPO technology is not out of reach for other countries with strong space programs, it depends only on their willingness to carry out such operations, Wang pointed out.
Another space expert who requested anonymity, told the Global Times that the RPO technology is essentially controlled satellite orbit maneuvering.
When it comes to satellite orbit adjustments, China has many examples of rescuing satellites such as the space rescue of one of the three-satellite constellation on the distant retrograde orbit (DRO), with many involving orbits higher than this one. The difference is that ours are all for civilian use, with no intention of militarizing the technology, the expert said.
China is committed to the peaceful use of outer space and firmly opposes any arms race in outer space or attempts to weaponize it. China has no intention of engaging in a space race, nor do we seek an advantage in outer space, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press conference on May 22.
The US has openly declared space a “warfighting domain”. It continues to expand its military presence in space, created space military alliances, and attempt to turn space into a warzone. That severely threatens the common security and development rights and interests of other countries in space. China urges the US to stop spreading irresponsible rhetoric, stop expanding military build-up in space, and make a proper contribution to safeguarding the lasting peace and security in outer space, Mao urged.