The United States Space Force is currently conducting tests on a new type of ground-based satellite jamming weapon that can disrupt enemy satellites monitoring or targeting US military ground positions from above, to help protect American military personnel from potential “space” attacks by China and Russia.
These tests are being carried out by the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM), responsible for educating and training US Space Force personnel. The satellite jamming device, known as the Remote Module Terminal (RMT), resembles a satellite antenna. Like other jammers, it typically overloads specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum through interference to deny, degrade, or disrupt communication with satellites in orbit.
The US Space Force announced the testing this week, highlighting the deployment of the system at two different geographic locations controlled from a third location to emphasize operational flexibility. The testing also included a network vulnerability penetration assessment to “ensure secure remote connections”.
According to statements by the Space Force, the RMT is a “small system designed for mass deployment at low cost and remote operation”. Lieutenant Colonel Gerrit Dalman of the US Space Force stated that the RMT will provide anti-space electronic warfare capabilities to all new sectors of the Space Force globally, essentially allowing it to be used almost anywhere to counter opponent satellites operating overhead.
In recent months, senior leadership of the US Space Force has been emphasizing the need for new space-based and anti-space technologies.
As this weapon emerges, Russia has vetoed a United Nations resolution calling for all nations to prevent a dangerous arms race in outer space, while China abstained from voting.
During the annual Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs in April this year, General B. Chance Saltzman, the Commander of Space Operations for the US Space Force, stressed the necessity for the Space Force to leverage the benefits of technological innovation and emerging capabilities in order to outpace adversaries.
Based on the demand for new technologies, the RMT system provides a rapidly deployable satellite interference system that can be used almost anywhere. Developed by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, the mission of this office is to rapidly deliver groundbreaking space combat capabilities to the US military.
In February of this year, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, expressed that members of Congress are aware of “severe national security threats”.
At a recent House Committee on Appropriations hearing, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that China is secretly engaging in space military activities.
“We believe many of their so-called civilian space efforts are actually military programs,” Nelson said. “But they’re very, very secretive.”
China has used its Long March 2 rocket to send a secret spaceplane into orbit, referred to by China as the “reusable experimental spacecraft (CSSHQ),” whose appearance remains unknown to the public.
If enemy satellites target US military or ground facilities, one or more RMTs would emit electromagnetic spectrum signals over a certain range to deceive and distort signals being sent to or from the satellites.
In essence, radio waves would be filled with meaningless content, making it impossible for enemy satellites to discern any useful information, rendering these satellites effectively useless—whether they carry actual weapons or solely provide surveillance data for other types of attacks.
According to slides submitted to the industry by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office in October 2023, these jammers are “small portable systems that can be deployed in garrison and austere environments,” meaning they can be used regardless of infrastructure to disrupt or sever connections with enemy satellites positioned overhead and potentially targeting or monitoring US ground forces.
(Adapted from reports by “Daily Mail” and Space.com)