Latest news with #ClaytonSwope
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Ready for blast-off: Can China's commercial space firms replicate SpaceX magic?
A methane-fuelled rocket by LandSpace Technology, takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in China, on May 17. PHOTO: REUTERS – On a clear morning on May 17, a methane-fuelled rocket thundered off its launchpad in the Gobi Desert, piercing the sky over northwestern China carrying six satellites into orbit. This marked the fifth successful flight for LandSpace, one of China's rising commercial aerospace companies, and underlined Beijing's ambition to catapult its commercial space sector onto the global stage. Two days later, Galactic Energy, another fast-growing Chinese space player, launched a rocket from a ship at sea off eastern Shandong province, deploying four satellites into orbit. The number of rocket launches in China by both state-owned and private firms is expected to hit a record high in 2025, according to Chinese industry reports, amid plans to ramp up investment in the sector. So far, China has carried out more than 30 orbital launches, including at least six in June, with more on the horizon. In 2024, the country recorded 68 orbital launches and in 2023, 67 launches. China's space sector used to be tightly controlled by the state until it was opened up to private companies in 2015. Today, there are over 500 commercial space companies in China. China's commercial space market is projected to balloon from around 2.8 trillion yuan (S$497.9 billion) in 2025 to over 6.6 trillion yuan by 2029, according to various research estimates. In 2024, the Chinese government listed the commercial space sector as a 'new engine of economic growth' in its government work report for the first time, prompting cities such as Beijing and Shanghai to roll out plans to accelerate investment in the sector. Private firms offer services such as space tourism, satellite internet, Earth imaging for farming or city planning purposes as well as private rocket launches for putting small satellites into orbit. In Beijing's southern Daxing district, more than 160 aerospace-related enterprises have formed a cluster nicknamed 'Rocket Street'. The city is building an exhibition hall where visitors, from the second half of 2025, can watch real-time launches of commercial rockets across China. Catching up with the US China's space startups are chasing what analysts call the 'SpaceX moment' or a breakthrough that sees a private Chinese space firm rival Elon Musk's rocket giant on the global stage. SpaceX is the undisputed industry leader, accounting for more than half of the world's 259 orbital launches i n 2024. It is largely thanks to its reusable Falcon 9 workhorse, which has reduced costs for its customers. At least six Chinese commercial space companies have so far successfully launched rockets into orbit. But none have yet to launch and recover a reusable rocket in the way SpaceX has done so since 2017. China's progress is evident, but it still lags far behind the US , said Mr Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). 'China has not been able to replicate the SpaceX magic, but arguably no other company anywhere has been able to do space at scale like SpaceX,' he said. Investors in China hoping to emulate SpaceX's success have poured money into Chinese private space companies with launch capabilities. Bu t these Chinese firms operate on 'a very small scale', especially compared with SpaceX or Rocket Lab, which is founded in New Zealand but headquartered in the US. Rocket reusability lies at the crux of China's commercial space ambitions, as it is a key factor in cutting launch costs and attracting clients outside of China. Dr Svetla Ben-Itzhak, assistant professor of space and international relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, said that while China's private firms are about five to seven years behind SpaceX in reusable launch technology, the gap could close more rapidly given advances in propulsion and accelerated development cycles. Chinese aerospace firms are optimistic about their prospects, with at least two founders of these companies saying that they could match SpaceX's capabilities by 2030. LandSpace founder Zhang Changwu, for instance, said in a June interview that the next three to five years will be a 'decisive period' for China's commercial space industry. His company is aiming for China's first orbital reusable flight by the end of 2025. Space tourism looks set to be launched in China soon. Deep Blue Aerospace, a Chinese firm developing reusable rockets, plans to conduct a 12-minute suborbital flight – meaning the rocket will reach outer space but not enter orbit – for space tourists in 2027. Its first two tickets, priced at 1.5 million yuan, were snapped up the moment they went on sale in October 2024. Meanwhile, state-backed CAS Space has pledged to begin space tourism flights by 2028. However, barriers remain for Chinese firms eyeing global markets. 'International customers want high reliability rates and China's commercial launchers generally just don't have that yet,' said CSIS' Mr Swope. Lingering trust issues with China may also hold back international interest in using China's space services for launch, remote sensing or broadband, he said. 'Due to geopolitical developments, would a Chinese company shut off service to international customers? Are there security concerns arising from the use of a Chinese company?' said Mr Swope. Dr Ben-Itzhak echoed these sentiments, noting that the distrust of Chinese tech is the main hindrance, largely due to perceived and often explicit links to the Chinese government and military, and concerns over transparency. There have also been setbacks in China's commercial space push. In June 2024, a test rocket by Chinese firm Space Pioneer malfunctioned and crashed in central Henan province. No one was hurt, but the company compensated locals for damaged buildings. Months later, in December, the initial public offering (IPO) of Jilin-based satellite firm Chang Guang Satellite Technology was abruptly halted, raising fresh doubts about the sector's profitability and long-term prospects. Even so, Chinese companies, particularly state-owned ones, are making inroads in markets that are friendlier to China. In November 2024, CAS Space's commercial rocket delivered a remote-sensing satellite for Oman, marking a key step into the international market. Analysts said a breakout moment for China's space startups may not just come from reusable rockets but could also come in the form of a high-profile IPO, securing more foreign clients or completing a broadband satellite mega-constellation akin to Starlink. SpaceX now has more than 7,800 Starlink satellites in operation. In comparison, China's two main competitors, Guowang and Qianfan, have deployed about 50 and just under 100 satellites respectively. Still, Qianfan has inked partnerships to offer satellite communications in Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand and is eyeing dozens of other markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Dr Ben-Itzhak said if a private Chinese company breaks through globally, it would not only challenge US commercial dominance but could also change perceptions of China from being a state space power to an innovation leader in space tech. 'This would be comparable to Huawei's rise in telecom,' she said. 'But this time, with rockets and satellites.' Michelle Ng is China Correspondent at The Straits Times. She is interested in Chinese foreign policies, property trends, demographics, education and rural issues. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Mid East Info
18-02-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
The Sky is No Longer Our Limit session explores the growing importance of space at the International Defence Conference
The third session of the International Defence Conference 2025, titled 'The Sky is no Longer the Limit: Emerging Threats and Opportunities in Space,' examined the increasing significance of space in defence and modern warfare. With the growing focus on both threats and opportunities in this crowded, competitive, and contested domain, the world is witnessing rapid shifts in the strategic space environment, including a notable rise in satellite launches and the use of commercial satellites in active combat operations. Held at the Emirates Palace and organised by ADNEC Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the conference brought together high-ranking government officials, defence policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and representatives of multinational corporations. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Alahbabi, Senior Advisor, Space & Cyber Technologies at EDGE Group, highlighted the growing capacity for satellite launches alongside the challenge of securing data. He stressed the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in strengthening space systems, predicting significant growth in satellite numbers and military interest in space by 2030. He also underscored the critical need for international cooperation and global policy frameworks to manage space traffic and prevent orbital debris. Clayton Swope, Deputy Director, Aerospace Security, Project & Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasised the vital role of public-private partnerships and strategic investment in space, particularly in AI and propulsion technologies. He commended the UAE's efforts in fostering local innovation while balancing ecosystem development with global collaboration, noting the importance of clear regulations and policies. Meanwhile, Frank Backes, Chief Executive Officer, Capella Space, discussed the rising real threats in space, stressing the need for greater cooperation between private companies, governments, and civil agencies to build resilient space systems. He highlighted the power of information-sharing and declassifying data to mitigate space-related threats and unlock space's full potential for disaster prediction and asset management. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO, Bayanat, Smart Solutions at Space42, focused on the importance of declassifying information and strengthening collaboration, particularly through the UAE's public-private partnership platform. He highlighted the need for precise data to power AI-driven decision-making and human advancement, while stressing data security and the integration of multi-source remote sensing data. The session also explored the development of advanced technologies for space situational awareness, missile defence, secure satellite communications, and resilient space assets. However, it also addressed counter-space capabilities, which are designed to disrupt or interfere with space-based services, posing significant threats to military operations. The discussion underscored the importance of nations establishing dedicated space forces, commands,strategies, policies, and alliances to navigate the evolving challenges in space security.
Zawya
16-02-2025
- Science
- Zawya
The Sky is No Longer Our Limit session explores the growing importance of space
Abu Dhabi: The third session of the International Defence Conference 2025, titled 'The Sky is no Longer the Limit: Emerging Threats and Opportunities in Space,' examined the increasing significance of space in defence and modern warfare. With the growing focus on both threats and opportunities in this crowded, competitive, and contested domain, the world is witnessing rapid shifts in the strategic space environment, including a notable rise in satellite launches and the use of commercial satellites in active combat operations. Held at the Emirates Palace and organised by ADNEC Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the conference brought together high-ranking government officials, defence policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and representatives of multinational corporations. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Alahbabi, Senior Advisor, Space & Cyber Technologies at EDGE Group, highlighted the growing capacity for satellite launches alongside the challenge of securing data. He stressed the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in strengthening space systems, predicting significant growth in satellite numbers and military interest in space by 2030. He also underscored the critical need for international cooperation and global policy frameworks to manage space traffic and prevent orbital debris. Clayton Swope, Deputy Director, Aerospace Security, Project & Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasised the vital role of public-private partnerships and strategic investment in space, particularly in AI and propulsion technologies. He commended the UAE's efforts in fostering local innovation while balancing ecosystem development with global collaboration, noting the importance of clear regulations and policies. Meanwhile, Frank Backes, Chief Executive Officer, Capella Space, discussed the rising real threats in space, stressing the need for greater cooperation between private companies, governments, and civil agencies to build resilient space systems. He highlighted the power of information-sharing and declassifying data to mitigate space-related threats and unlock space's full potential for disaster prediction and asset management. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO, Bayanat, Smart Solutions at Space42, focused on the importance of declassifying information and strengthening collaboration, particularly through the UAE's public-private partnership platform. He highlighted the need for precise data to power AI-driven decision-making and human advancement, while stressing data security and the integration of multi-source remote sensing data. The session also explored the development of advanced technologies for space situational awareness, missile defence, secure satellite communications, and resilient space assets. However, it also addressed counter-space capabilities, which are designed to disrupt or interfere with space-based services, posing significant threats to military operations. The discussion underscored the importance of nations establishing dedicated space forces, commands, strategies, policies, and alliances to navigate the evolving challenges in space security.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's jamming-resistant drones are causing problems the West may not be able to answer
Suspected Russian drones have been spotted near NATO bases in Germany. A report said that efforts to jam them did not work. It could expose an area where Russia's experience in Ukraine has given it a technological edge. Suspected Russian drones are showing up outside sensitive sites, and Western nations may not be equipped to counter them. One recent incident suggests that Russia may have deployed jamming-resistant drones to overcome the defenses at a military base — which analysts say could prove a significant vulnerability. Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that a series of drones were spotted near a military base in Schwesing, northern Germany, on six occasions between January 9 and 29. Ukrainian troops were training there with Patriot air-defense systems at the time. The report, citing German intelligence, said the drones entered the base despite efforts to stop them. German troops, it said, deployed a jamming system that should have scrambled the drones' guidance systems but did not. Russia has developed sophisticated new drones that evade electronic warfare, as Business Insider recently reported. Ukraine has developed the technology too, seeking to catch up to its enemy. Some are controlled by fiber optic cables instead of radio signals — it isn't clear what technology might have been at play in the German incidents. A German military spokesman told Business Insider there had been "several sightings" of unknown drones near military sites, but declined to give further information, citing security concerns. "The Bundeswehr takes these incidents very seriously," the spokesman said, using the German term for the armed forces. He said prosecutors had opened a case. NATO did not respond to a request for comment. It's the latest in a series of mysterious drone sighting at military bases in Europe that analysts believe may be part of a Russian espionage operation. In December, the US military told Reuters that drones were spotted near the Ramstein military base in southwestern Germany, while Der Spiegel reported that month that drones had been sighted near industrial sites, including a plant of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has been involved in making weapons for Ukraine in battling the Russian invasion. Drones were also spotted near four US military bases in the UK in November. The tech has played a pivotal role in the war in Ukraine, where both sides have deployed them for battlefield surveillance and as weapons. A particularly intense area of that arms race has been jamming technology, with each side seeking to scramble the other's drones and stop the same happening to theirs. While both Russia and Ukraine are fitting drones with fiber optic cables, other drones, such as the US-made V-BAT, have other ways to resist jamming. The apparent success of the drones in Germany at resisting jamming raises questions about NATO's defenses, said Clayton Swope, a senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "New drone tactics and technologies are being tested on the battlefields in Ukraine. The United States and its allies, including NATO, are just beginning to wrap our heads around this new threat and just figuring out how to face it," he told Business Insider. Devices like lasers or other directed energy weapons could work against even jamming-resistant drones, but there are legal and logistical obstacles, he said. "The challenge will be deploying those systems at scale to protect sensitive domestic locations and preparing to confront the same threats on a future battlefield," he said. Some approaches are decidedly more old-school, with Ukraine arming some soldiers with shotguns meant to take out drones. For its part, Russia is increasingly seeking to use technical expertise learned in Ukraine outside that conflict. "Reports that a NATO member state is struggling to combat likely Russian reconnaissance drones demonstrate the need for NATO states to further develop their defensive capabilities as Russia continues to use its experience on the battlefield in Ukraine to innovate new technologies," The Institue for the Study of War, the US think tank, said on Monday. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US tactics are taking shape for fighting a potent new threat — low-cost drones
Low-cost drones have been used as cheap and effective weapons in conflicts like Ukraine. The US military is rapidly developing its own tactics and ways to counter them. In January, Marines conducted live-fire training exercises using a new anti-drone system. In footage released last year, a Ukrainian drone is filmed approaching a Russian tank. But instead of flying into its protective shield, the drone flies under it, exploding and obliterating the vehicle. It was a vivid example of how off-the-shelf drones, which can cost as little as $1,000, are transforming the battlefield. Ukraine has used drones to overcome Russia's major advantages in manpower and equipment, and Pentagon military planners have watched closely — drawing their own lessons. The US military is now testing a range of equipment and tactics to defend against aerial drone attacks. In January, US Marines conducted live-fire training exercises in Hawaii using a new anti-drone system, the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS. The system allows Marines to detect, identify, and destroy drones using an arsenal of weapons, including canons, jammers, and machine guns, Stars and Stripes reported. Last year, Defense One reported that the Pentagon was also planning to equip troops with handheld drone detection and jamming devices. And in December, the Pentagon released a new counter-drone strategy aimed at coordinating how different branches of the military respond to the threat, and making "countering unmanned systems a key element of our thinking." "Some of the character of warfare is changing right now," Col. John Lehane, commander of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, told The Honolulu Star-Advertiser this month, of the MADIS test. "And if we don't change, we're going to find ourselves in a bad spot," he said. Clayton Swope, a senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider that anti-drone defenses have two core challenges — to detect drones and to neutralize them. Systems like MADIS, which can travel with front-line forces and integrate drone detectors and interceptors, are an important development, he said. "MADIS is a solution that operates at the pointiest end of the spear, providing air protections to marines who might have to storm the beaches in a future conflict," Swope said. The system is carried by a pair of light, tactical vehicles, Stars and Stripes reported in January, and will next be used in joint exercises in the Philippines, to see how it handles humid conditions. Zak Kallenborn, a drone analyst and affiliate of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI that there was no "silver bullet" for tackling drones, and that defenses "need to accommodate that variability." "Drones vary greatly in capability and present threats across the whole of the military," he said. "One big problem is we're only really learning about aerial drone tactics," Kallenborn added, "but drones also fly, swim, and swarm. It's tough to develop counter tactics against technologies that are only just beginning to be used." The relative novelty of using drones in war also means tactics must evolve fast. Russia has developed a sophisticated electronic warfare capability to counter drones by jamming the signals used to guide them. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims to have tested laser weapons to take out drones used by Russia to attack its cities and infrastructure. According to The War Zone, multiple branches of the US military are experimenting with laser or microwave weapons to take down drones. Ukraine, with the help of allies including the US and Germany, is also reportedly seeking to develop new drones to overcome Russia's jamming. Raising the drone threat, Business Insider reported last year that a new type of attack might involve drones operated as part of a coordinated swarm. China is among the countries believed to be developing this technology. To counter this, Swope said militaries like the US' might need to use AI as part of drone defenses, to analyze complex data beyond the capability of humans. "Defensive systems will need to make decisions at a speed and scale that might challenge a human operator," he said. In the short term, "MADIS and other systems like it will be critical to protecting infantry and artillery units from small drones," Swope said, "which Ukraine has shown are an impossible-to-ignore emerging threat to ground forces." Read the original article on Business Insider
