Issue 13

01 Flash Archive · Members Only

China launches secret military satellite using a Long March 4C rocket

On 27 December 2020 China launched the secret military satellite Yaogan 33 aboard a Long March 4C, with independent analysts assessing possible radar-imaging or other surveillance roles.

Author Greg Gillinger Published January 17, 2021

27 December 2020: China launches secret military satellite using a Long March 4C rocket.

– U.S. military tracking data indicated the launcher reached a 425 mile orbit with a 98.3 degree inclination. View Orbit.

– Chinese officials stated the primary payload as Yaogan 33.

– Independent analysts believe Yaogan 33 might carry a radar imager designed to obtain all-weather, day-and-night imagery of strategic targets around the world. Some references name the new satellite “Yaogan 33R.”

– Yaogan 33 was also the name of a military remote sensing satellite lost in May 2019. Yaogan 33R launched into a slightly different orbit; some analysts believe it may be a new type of Chinese surveillance payload.

Reporting of Yaogan 33 capabilities is inconsistent: SAR, EO and SIGINT are all mentioned in different forums.

The 27 December launch was China’s final for the year. China successfully launched 35 space missions into orbit this year in 39 attempts. U.S. companies performed 44 orbital launch attempts, with 40 successes, including flights by California-headquartered Rocket Lab from its private launch base in New Zealand. China Space 2020 Year in Review.

Yaogan 33 / Long March 4C mission graphic.

02 Flash Archive · Members Only

China expands the power of its Central Military Commission (CMC)

China expanded the authority of its Central Military Commission under President Xi, including broader powers to mobilise military and civilian resources in defense of national interests.

Author Greg Gillinger Published January 17, 2021

1 Jan 21: China expands the power of its Central Military Commission (CMC) — headed by President Xi — to mobilise military and civilian resources in defense of the national interest, both home & abroad.

– Military and political analysts said the amendments aimed to strengthen the country’s military leadership under Xi.

– The legislation includes “development interests” as a reason for armed mobilization and war and provides legal grounds for China to launch war in the name of defending national development interests.

– “The CMC is now formally in charge of making national defense policy and principles, while the State Council becomes a mere implementing agency to provide support to the military.” Zeng Zhiping, China military law expert.

– The amendments also highlight the use of armed forces to suppress national disruption and could target independence-leaning Taiwan forces.

The amendments were passed by the National People’s Congress on December 26, after two years of deliberation and stand in “big contrast when compared with developed countries like Israel, Germany and France, which prefer to put their armed forces under civilian leadership.” Video: China-Taiwan relationship.

China Central Military Commission / President Xi.

04 Flash Archive · Members Only

Russia and US meet in Vienna to discuss decreasing militarization of space

Russia and the United States met in Vienna in July 2020 to discuss rules and risks surrounding the militarization of space.

Author Greg Gillinger Published January 17, 2021

29 Jul 20: Russia and US meet in Vienna to discuss decreasing militarization of space.

– U.S. Space Force accused Russia of deploying a “projectile weapon” in near-Earth orbit close to a U.S. spy satellite.

– Russia argues that the U.S. has developed elaborate Earth-based weaponry capable of attacking an adversary’s satellite network in war.

– “Right now there are no laws against the deployment of conventional weapons in Earth orbit, either the kind that can hit other objects in space or the kind that can hit the Earth.” Vladimir Dvorkin, Russian Academy of Sciences.

– Russian analysts say that Moscow is deeply worried about the secretive U.S. military program in space. The Russians claim that the X-37B does much the same tasks that their Kosmos satellites do, including positioning maneuverable “inspector” satellites in Earth orbit.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty is the only major international treaty regulating the militarization of space. It bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in Earth orbit but doesn’t limit military/dual-purpose technologies.