About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 (April 23, 2007)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaaefs0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS22652 April 23, 2007 SCRS Report for Congress China's Anti-Satellite Weapon Test Shirley Kan Specialist in National Security Policy Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary On January 11, 2007, the People's Republic of China (PRC) conducted its first successful direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test in destroying one of its own satellites in space. The test raised international concerns about more space debris. Longer-term, the test raised questions about China's capability and intention to attack U.S. satellites. The purpose of this CRS Report, based on open sources and interviews, is to discuss that ASAT test by China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and issues about U.S. assessments and policies. This report will not be updated. China's Destruction of its Satellite in Space On January 11, 2007, at 5:28 pm EST, the PRC conducted its first successful direct- ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test, launching a ballistic missile armed with a kinetic kill vehicle (not an exploding conventional or nuclear warhead) to destroy the PRC's Fengyun-lC weather satellite at about 530 miles up in low earth orbit (LEO) in space. The PLA conducted the test near China's Xichang Space Center in Sichuan province. The weapon under development was fired from a mobile transporter-erector- launcher (TEL). China reportedly used a two-stage, solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile that was launched from a TEL. A U.S. intelligence official testified to Congress that the U.S. designation of this ASAT weapon is SC-19. A National Security Council spokesman issued the White House's public response on January 18, stating that China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area. He stated that the PRC used a land- based, medium-range ballistic missile. He also noted that the United States and other countries responded with formal protests to China.' Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, 1 Craig Covault, Chinese Test Anti-Satellite Weapon, Aviation Week & Space Technology, online post on Jan. 17, 2007 (first public report of China's ASAT test); Colin Clark and Jeremy Singer, China's ASAT Test Widely Criticized, U.S. Says No New Treaties Needed, Space News, Jan. 22, 2007; Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Michael (continued...) Congressional Research Service The Library of Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress