China Aerospace Studies Institute Space Research

Air University (AU)

PLA Aerospace Force Base 37

Base 37 is the PLA’s base for early warning and space situational awareness, likely now under the command of the PLA’s new Aerospace Force (PLAASF). Observable elements of Base 37 appear to be engaged in research on a wide array of space situational awareness (SSA) topics, and units directly

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China can track GSSAP

A Chinese technical assessment on the U.S. Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites from April last year revealed China’s deepening analysis of U.S. space domain awareness (SDA) capabilities. The Chinese have moved beyond describing U.S. SDA systems, and have begun

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Chinese Research in Space-Based Space Surveillance

Space Surveillance is a subset and contributor to space situational awareness (SSA), which in turn, is a subset and contributor to space domain awareness (SDA). To clarify the purpose and scope of this paper, these three terms are defined and their relationships illustrated. SDA is the

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China’s Space Capability and What This Means for the West

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has rapidly advanced in the space domain on several fronts simultaneously. Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command testified in early 2024 that, “The PRC is moving breathtakingly fast in space. America must rapidly increase the timeliness, quality

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To Be More Precise: BEIDOU, GPS, and the Emerging Competition in Satellite-Based PNT

The United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are in an emerging competition over satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). In 2020, the PRC completed BeiDou 3, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) similar to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). The PRC now

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Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company overview

This paper provides a brief overview of Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (CGST) [长光卫星技术股份有限公司], its operations, and connections to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Previously known in English as

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PLA On-Orbit Satellite Logistics

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is preparing its satellite operators to perform on-orbit satellite refueling, for peacetime and wartime space logistics. They are also already integrating lessons learned into corresponding military doctrine and training tools. To further ready a PLA in-space

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Coercive Space Activities: The View From PRC Sources

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is developing space technologies, in part, to deter and compel the United States from taking actions that Beijing deems counter to its national security interests. PRC coercive space efforts are intended to achieve effects in, from, and to space. People’s

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PLA Counterspace Command and Control

This report started as an effort to answer two questions about each of six counterspace weapon classes typically referenced in unclassified counterspace reports. The weapons discussed in this report include: Direct Assent Antisatellite Missiles, Directed Energy Counterspace Weapons, Terrestrially

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The PLA’s New Base for Space Situational Awareness—Opportunities and Challenges for the U.S.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Strategic Support Force (SSF) has established a new base tailored for the military’s space situational awareness (SSA) needs. While the SSF’s Base 26 called the Xi’an Satellite Tracking and Control Center and the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center will

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