Multiple Nations Develop Spaceplane Capabilities for Satellite Protection, Defense One Reports

Key Points

• France, Germany, Japan, and India developing reusable spaceplane technologies
• Germany's strategy specifically calls for agile surveillance and bodyguard satellites
• India's spaceplane design resembles U.S. X-37B and Chinese reusable spacecraft
• Potential for month-long orbital missions with payload release capabilities

Full Details

A new 'Global Counterspace Capabilities' report from the Secure World Foundation reveals that multiple nations are actively developing reusable spaceplane technologies and advanced satellite systems for orbital protection. France's direction générale de l'armement, Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, Japan's Ministry of Defense, and India's Space Research Organisation have all tested components, defined strategies, or made sales pitches for space vehicles in the past year. Germany's Space Safety and Security Strategy specifically calls for building 'highly agile low-signal surveillance and bodyguard satellites and reusable spaceplanes.' India has been working for at least three years on a spaceplane design similar to the U.S. X-37B and China's Reusable Experimental Spacecraft, with potential capabilities for month-long orbital missions and payload releases. The report suggests these developments could provide latent counterspace capacities, even if initially described as developing technologies for reusable launch vehicles. This trend indicates a broader shift toward protecting critical space infrastructure as orbital assets become increasingly vital for national security and economic operations.