China to Release Anti-Satellite Report – George Gedda

From AP:

China’s anti-satellite test in January increased the country’s military threat to Taiwan by demonstrating a limited ability to blind the U.S. satellites that would be deployed in defense of the island, according to a report released Tuesday…

In the January test, China used a missile to destroy one of its own old weather satellites in low-Earth polar orbit. It was the first time China had successfully tested an anti-satellite system. Three months after the test, the report said, China’s motives are unclear.

China waited almost two weeks before publicly acknowledging the test. “China opposes the weaponization of space and any arms race,” a spokesman said, adding that it has never participated and will not participate in any outer space arms race. [Full Text]