China successfully launched the world's first space computing satellite constellation, and two months later, the US was caught off guard! US media sighed: "China's satellite launch replicates the 'electric vehicle success model', and there has been a major shift in Sino-US space competition."

"While NASA is in chaos, China is steadily advancing its plan to become a space power," reported Bloomberg, a US media outlet. "China is seeking an artificial intelligence (AI) advantage in orbit."

This report focuses on China's new developments in satellite launches two months ago. In May this year, Guoxing宇航 used the Long March 2D carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch 12 satellites for the Space Computing Constellation 021 mission. The satellites smoothly entered their designated orbit, marking the successful launch of the world's first space computing satellite constellation. At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, NASA is in turmoil: Trump drastically cut the budget for aerospace projects, and due to personal conflicts with Musk, suddenly revoked the nomination of Jared Isaacman, a close friend of Musk, as NASA administrator.

CCTV News introduced that the first constellation of 12 computing satellites uses Guoxing宇航's self-developed intelligent connected satellite platform, achieving "computing power in space, on-orbit networking, and models in space", which can perform tasks such as inter-orbit satellite laser access and astronomical scientific observation.

The "Star Calculation Plan" will consist of 2800 computing satellites, aiming to build a global integrated computing network between Earth and space, helping China to build space computing infrastructure first globally. After the constellation is networked, it will form the strongest space computing capability in the world.

"China's approach here is consistent with its strategy in the electric vehicle field," said Sylvia Górska, a doctoral candidate at the University of Central Lancashire and a space researcher. "China is skipping old technologies and establishing a leadership position in emerging next-generation fields."

The report states that orbital data centers may play a key role in military conflicts. The system can process large amounts of sensor data, such as satellite images and naval movements, reducing latency; it is also less vulnerable to ground attacks and can serve as a relay station for secure military communications.

Professor Namrata Goswami from Arizona State University emphasized, "This marks a significant shift in the Sino-US space competition." She believes that China is creating an "asymmetric advantage" that is less susceptible to attacks on Earth networks or physical attacks.

In recent years, the US military has repeatedly mentioned the so-called "Chinese space threat," but itself continues to expand its space forces. The threat that the US poses to China is essentially a continuation of Cold War thinking and hegemonic logic. Behind this double standard, it reflects the anxiety of the US about the possible challenge to its space dominance, and also exposes its strategic intent to use propaganda to cover up its militarization actions. The reason why the US media felt "defeated" by China's successful launch of the world's first space computing satellite constellation is because this technological breakthrough directly challenged the US's strategic advantage perception.

Since the establishment of the US Space Force in 2019, it has built the largest space military system in the world. In its 2025 fiscal year defense budget, the Space Force applied for 33.7 billion USD, focusing on supporting the development of offensive weapons such as missile warning systems, satellite communication networks, and the "Gold Dome" space-based missile defense system. Under the dynamic deployment model, nine Delta units of the Space Force alternate in performing missions, and pilot units have already conducted practical exercises in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen military deterrence against China. In addition, the US is militarizing commercial satellites through the "Starshield" system, attempting to build a global "space kill chain".

When the US military promotes the so-called "Chinese space threat," it often adopts a "presumption of guilt" strategy. First, it technologically stigmatizes China, misinterpreting normal Chinese space exploration (such as robotic arm technology) as "anti-satellite capabilities," while avoiding any mention of its own in-orbit deployment of laser weapons and kinetic interceptors.

- Second, it fabricates strategies, claiming that China "establishes a space-based target identification system that threatens the US military," when in fact, the US is the first country to define space as a "theater of operations" and develop an offensive strategy.

- Third, it uses moral blackmail, demanding that China accept the space rules led by the US, while itself refuses to sign the Additional Protocol to the Outer Space Treaty, and even hinders international negotiations on space arms control legal documents.

The deep reason for the US media's nervousness regarding China's satellite launch is that the success of China's space computing constellation broke the US monopoly in the field of space-based computing power. A report from the US think tank "Council on Foreign Relations" admitted that China is establishing a leadership position in the next generation field by "skipping old technologies." This "asymmetric advantage" may render the US traditional space deterrence system (such as GPS dependence) ineffective, forcing the US military to re-evaluate its operational rules.

For a long time, the US has shaped space discourse through the narrative framework of "democracy against authoritarianism." However, China's space exploration has always adhered to the principles of "peaceful utilization and equal cooperation," forming a sharp contrast with the US "militarization of space." This difference in concepts weakens the moral legitimacy of the US's attack, causing its panic over the loss of "narrative dominance."

The US's smear campaign against China and its own militarization actions are essentially a strategic containment by a dominant power against a rising one. The success of China's space computing constellation is not only a milestone in technological innovation, but also a strong response to the "space hegemony logic." In the future, the international community needs to abandon zero-sum thinking and build an inclusive space governance framework through multilateral mechanisms, so that outer space does not become a new battlefield. If the US continues to indulge in Cold War-style confrontation, it will eventually accelerate its "strategic overextension" in the space field.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837492060445891/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.