[Analysis by Russian Scholar on the U.S. "Jackal" Program]
Recently, Alexander Yermakov, a researcher at the Department of Strategic Analysis and Forecasting of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, wrote an article commenting on True Anomaly's plan to launch the "Jackal" series of satellites into geosynchronous orbit and "cislunar space" in 2026.
The article states that "True Anomaly's manufacturing and launching of the first military spacecraft for operations beyond low Earth orbit sends a strong signal of its ambition for leadership. This step may not be pleasant, but it is undoubtedly historically significant." It is not advisable to "fool oneself" into believing that the general term "reconnaissance satellite," used to describe this spacecraft, represents its true purpose. "After all, it is not particularly difficult to equip these satellites with weapons to attack enemy spacecraft (luckily, the satellites are not armored – at least for now), and no one can guarantee that these satellites are not armed, nor can anyone ensure that those active satellites playing 'cat and mouse' games above our heads will not 'unsheathe their claws' at any moment."
The article argues that True Anomaly Company, which has only been established for three years, has spent most of this time actively cooperating with the Pentagon. Three "Jackal" reconnaissance satellites have already been launched, two of which have failed, while the third mission was successful. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force (VKS) plans to carry out the "Victus Haze" mission during which the "Jackal" satellites will intercept a spacecraft from another company, Rocket Lab.
The article emphasizes that True Anomaly's plans are not limited to low Earth orbit. He explains that the "cislunar space" the company aims to send the satellites to refers to the region between geosynchronous orbit and the lunar Lagrange point L2. In this area, satellites can operate along stable orbits near the Moon or at several positions of the Lagrange points where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the Moon are balanced.
The article also notes that "although the actual economic and military value of the Moon will clearly be very limited in the coming decades, for the military, the need to always be prepared to occupy multiple key points in order to control such vast space itself is extremely attractive."
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829066099968012/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author.