China produces increasingly sophisticated microsatellites weighing 10–100 kg,
far less than the average satellite. They potentially permit China to deploy
satellite constellations, decreasing costs while increasing reliability, particularly
in communications (as opposed to reconnaissance) missions. Should these
space-based assets come under threat,the larger numbers in which they could
be deployed would make them harder to target and easier to replenish. At
25 kg, furthermore, the Naxing-1 microsatellite made China the fourth country,
after Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to launch a satellite
approaching nanosatellite designation (i.e., weighing 10 kg or less).^96 China’s
other satellites have been similarly impressive. Launched in May 2002, the
Haiyang-1A ended China’s sole reliance on foreign satellites for maritime
observation. This marine remote sensing satellite, which monitors China’s
peripheral seas, was the prototype for a series of Chinese maritime monitoring
satellites.^97 According to an official publication, 12 percent of Haiyang-1A’s
2003 ‘‘satellite data distribution’’ was ‘‘military.’’^98 A follow-on satellite,
Haiyang-1B, with double its predecessor’s data capacity, was reportedly launched
in April 2007.^99 According to Sun Zhihui, director of China’s State Oceanic
Administration, China’s State Council has approved the development of a series
of Haiyang-Bs.^100 In 2001, RAND reported that China had ‘‘developed remote
sensing satellites capable of transmitting images of the earth’s surface in near-
real time.’’^101 Such a capability could greatly improve China’s ability to monitor
force deployments on its periphery.
In a development that mirrors Western efforts to reduce costs and enhance
reliability, satellite buses (standardized platforms) constitute the backbone
of China’s microsatellite efforts. China is developing at least five variants of
three major small satellite buses: CAST968A, B, and C;^102 CAST2000;^103 and
CASTMINI (for true microsatellites). CAST968’s design characteristics report-
edly include a very high subsystem integration rate, good performance, and high
efficiency. CAST968 has substantially improved small-satellite development
time, cost, and quality. Total development time has been reduced to two years,
approaching world standards.^104
Satellite navigation has revolutionized military operations in every sphere
of combat. Chinese missiles may use the U.S. GPS system, as well as Russia’s
GLONASS system, for navigation. China is also developing its own Beidou
geostationary satellite navigation system in order to minimize its reliance on
foreign systems. Beidou 1A, launched on October 30, 2000, was stationed
over New Guinea. On December 20, 2000, Beidou 1B was placed over the
Indian Ocean. Beidou 2A, launched on May 24, 2003, was placed in an interme-
diary position.^105 China launched a fourth (backup) satellite on February 3,
2007106 and plans to launch a fifth satellite later in 2007.^107 China has
already begun to employ Beidou extensively for both civilian and military
applications.^10888 Asia Looks Seaward