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 US space systems and the threat was now at tipping point. These satellites are crucial to areas such as targeting, missile warning and weather data. A battle in orbit could also wreck the delicate satellite constellations that the world relies on for navigation, scientific research, communications and military surveillance.