The Chinese military is developing small robots designed to latch onto and disable an adversary's satellites in orbit. The capability is part of a broader PLA push to use artificial intelligence to erode American dominance in space, according to a Georgetown University study of thousands of military procurement documents.
The research, published in Foreign Affairs by Sam Bresnick, Emelia S. Probasco, and Cole McFaul of Georgetown's CSET, finds the PLA "openly pursuing algorithms for satellite targeting as well as new antisatellite weapons," "Hvylya" reports.
Among the most striking findings are procurement requests for small robotic systems engineered to physically attach to enemy space platforms and render them inoperative. The PLA is also investing in AI-driven satellite targeting algorithms, part of a wider effort to "diminish U.S. advantages in space and at sea."
The space dimension is one front among many. In the maritime domain, the PLA is experimenting with autonomous underwater vehicles and has already deployed advanced sensors in the oceans and in space to "map and monitor undersea activity" - with the explicit goal of tracking U.S. submarines globally. The researchers describe the entire push as a "whole-of-force transformation" driven by AI integration.
China's approach favors speed over perfection. Many of the procurement documents feature short development timelines, enabling rapid prototyping across domains. Beijing is also funneling subsidies and tax incentives to domestic technology companies to repurpose civilian products - from robotics to battery technologies - for military applications.
Also read: Russia Could Exploit a US-China Conflict to Test European Resolve, Analyst Warns.