US Air Force General John Hyten warns that countries such as China and Russia are planning to shoot down US military satellites with missiles , spacecraft and lasers , as he pleaded with Congress to increase spending to protect these satellites . He added that foreign nations want to curb their space systems and the threat was now at tipping point . These satellites are crucial to operations such as targeting , missile warning and weather prediction . " A battle in orbit could also wreck the delicate satellite constellations that the world relies on for navigation , scientific research , communications and military surveillance .
US Air Force General John Hyten warns that countries such as China and Russia are planning to shoot down US military satellites with missiles , spacecraft and lasers , as he pleaded with Congress to increase spending to protect these satellites . He added that foreign nations want to curb their space systems and the threat was now at tipping point . These satellites are crucial to operations such as targeting , missile warning and weather prediction . A battle in orbit could also wreck the delicate satellite constellations that the world relies on for navigation , scientific research , communications and military surveillance .