China’s satellite spies on US spycraft in a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off

In a notable display of reconnaissance capabilities, a Chinese satellite has observed an American satellite that was itself monitoring China’s space station and high-value satellite, a move analysts described as a strategic tit-for-tat in an increasingly contested space domain.

China’s Jilin-1 satellite constellation, operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology, seized a favourable orbital window on September 8 to capture four images of the WorldView Legion satellite from distances ranging between 40 and 50km (31 miles).