This General is Afraid of America's Satellites Being Destroyed by China from the Moon

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – China is said to be capable of attacking the United States' satellite from the Moon. According to a US Space Force commander, this step was taken amid increasing US concerns about China's space program.

Defense One reported comments from Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of US Space Forces in the Indo-Pacific, discussing China's lunar exploration program.

“From a military standpoint, I'm curious, are there attack vectors that we haven't considered or need to consider, whether it's xGeo or cislunar or vice versa?” said Mastalir.

Launch BusinessInsider, XGeo is Space Force jargon for all space beyond orbit, a point about 35 thousand kilometers above the Earth's surface. While Cislunar refers to the part of space between the Earth and the moon.

Mastalir said he remains focused on potential conflicts on Earth, but China's strategy on the Moon requires immediate consideration.

“For now I'm more concerned about what happens in this new orbit, the presence of the moon — what could be a potential attack vector for our traditional operating orbits,” he added.

Currently the US has thousands of satellites in orbit, which are used for many purposes, both civil and military. They also have the Cisluran satellite which is used to monitor ballistic missile threats.

The US has recently appeared wary of China's military plans in outer space. One of them is General Stephen Whiting, head of US Space Command, who said that China's military capabilities in space are growing very quickly.

“China is increasing its military and space capabilities at an astonishing rate to deny America and its allies space capabilities if they so choose,” he said.

China denies the accusation and says the US made the accusation as an excuse to develop its own military capabilities.

One of China's plans for space exploration is to take astronauts to the Moon at the end of this decade. Some experts believe China's exploration plans are actually part of a strategy to claim ownership of the Moon.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(dem/dem)