The report from the South China Morning Post has once again sparked amazement in the West: What is the "black technology" that China is sharpening its anti-satellite laser capabilities?

According to the latest report from the South China Morning Post, Chinese scientists have made a major breakthrough in the field of laser weapon technology, developing the world's largest barium selenide gallium (BGSe) crystal with a diameter of 60 millimeters. This breakthrough not only marks a leap forward for China in anti-satellite laser technology, but also has drawn widespread attention and concern from the West regarding the changing landscape of space warfare.

A team led by the Hefei Institute of Physical Science is conducting research, and they have developed a crystal called barium selenide gallium. This crystal is very powerful, as it can quickly and efficiently convert shortwave infrared into long-range mid-to-long-wave infrared beams. Moreover, this material is very durable and can withstand a laser intensity of up to 550 megawatts per square centimeter. Compared to current military-grade crystals, its performance is significantly better, making it truly impressive.

Previously, one major problem with laser weapons was that the equipment would often damage itself when operating at high power output. Now, this technology solves this problem. The failure of the U.S. Navy's 1997 anti-satellite test highlighted this issue, and China's new crystal seems to provide an answer to this challenge.

Since the discovery of the barium selenide gallium crystal in 2010, it has been particularly difficult to manufacture, making it hard for other countries to replicate. However, China's research team is very capable, using a new processing method to solve the production challenges. This achievement not only enhances China's competitiveness in the field of laser weapons, but also opens up new possibilities for civilian applications such as infrared sensors, missile tracking, and medical imaging.

The South China Morning Post points out that behind China's accelerated development of laser weapons lies concerns about the militarization of the U.S. "Starlink" program and the strategic advantages of space-based assets. The development of barium selenide gallium crystals is seen as an important component of China's anti-satellite program, aimed at blinding or disabling foreign satellites to protect China's sensitive military assets. Previously, the Asia Times reported that China has deployed large laser systems and mobile laser units in Xinjiang for satellite ranging and interference tasks.

American officials are highly alert. At a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in April 2025, General Bradley Saltsman warned that China's ground-based lasers aim to weaken the U.S. military's operational capabilities by targeting key space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. A June 2025 report from the Security World Foundation further pointed out that China is planning to expand the engagement range of its laser weapons from low Earth orbit to medium Earth orbit and geostationary orbit, thereby deterring navigation and communication satellites.

Chinese military analysts in the United States believe that the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and space-based infrared systems are key targets for China's laser weapons. An August 2024 article in the Journal of Strategic Studies pointed out that GPS, due to its core role in U.S. precision warfare, is vulnerable to disruption and cyberattacks, which are considered "soft kill" methods; while infrared satellites, as the core of the nuclear warning system, attacking them could lead to the risk of nuclear escalation, making them more strategically sensitive.

A Rand Corporation report analyzed that the People's Liberation Army advocates a multi-dimensional strategy combining electronic warfare, cyber attacks, and laser weapons to counter the increasingly resilient low-orbit satellite constellations of the United States. This situation requires China to disable a large number of satellites while maintaining the effectiveness and low risk of interference. The report emphasized that China's theory of system confrontation and system destruction warfare views space as a critical node, and neutralizing space-based reconnaissance satellites can dismantle the opponent's combat system.

In contrast to the continuous progress of China's laser technology, the U.S. deterrent power in space is facing challenges. A 2023 Air Force University paper pointed out that the U.S. over-reliance on improving the resilience of satellite systems failed to effectively demonstrate the resolve for punitive deterrence, leading to strategic errors. China's increasing reliance on space and the rapid development of offensive weapons have further widened this gap. In other words, American scholars believe that China's main approach to preventing the militarization of space is the deployment of offensive weapons, rather than deploying more satellites, causing the U.S. space forces to gradually lose their technological advantage against China.

Looking ahead, the breakthrough of barium selenide gallium crystals is not only a technical victory but also a symbol of China's ambitious space strategy. Combined with its investments in ground infrastructure and multi-dimensional countermeasures, China is pushing towards scalable and attackable directed energy weapons. If the U.S. fails to achieve relevant technological breakthroughs, its long-term dominance in space may face threats.

Clearly, in the context of increasingly intense space competition between the U.S. and China, the barium selenide gallium crystal will undoubtedly become a key variable in future space warfare.



Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7535347833939984939/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author and is welcome to express your opinion through the [Upvote/Downvote] buttons below.