Earth’s war may also spread to moon, say researchers

Chinese space researchers have warned that any war starting on Earth in the future may also spread to the space between Earth and the Moon. In a research they have shown that in a possible conflict rival spacecraft may try to chase and avoid each other, evade defence systems and block important space routes.

According to a group of researchers of Northwestern Polytechnical University located in Xi’an of China, spacecraft can hide their trajectories in the complex gravitational environment around the Moon. Later there is also opportunity to come out from there as needed and advance towards any target near the Earth.

It has been said in the research published in the Chinese language ‘Journal of Command and Control’ in July that it is possible to deploy spacecraft near the strategic paths where important or fuel-saving space routes converge. From there the opponent’s spacecraft can be obstructed or forced to go on an alternative and more fuel-consuming path.

The lead author of the research and Associate Professor of the School of Astronautics of Northwestern Polytechnical University Dang Zhaohui said that without direct application of force a country can force the opponent to change trajectory, delay any mission, abandon the opportunity of launch or bear extra cost.

According to him, competition in the space between Earth and the Moon will not remain limited around any specific spacecraft, orbit or path. Rather access to space, its control and use and the capability to discourage the opponent may become the main issue.

‘Cislunar space’ means the vast space region between Earth and the Moon. In this region the gravity of both Earth and the Moon influences the trajectory of spacecraft. As a result the movement of spacecraft here can be much more complex compared to satellites in orbits near the Earth.

Dependence on space-based technology is gradually increasing in modern warfare. Therefore the researchers believe that if any conflict starts on Earth the countries may try to limit the opponent’s space activities alongside keeping their own space assets secured.

Possible conflicts have been divided into six types of situations in the research. Among these are strategies like chase and escape, attack and defence, blockade and counter-blockade and deception and identification.

However the researchers have acknowledged that research on possible conflicts in cislunar space is still at the primary stage. Previous researches have considered limited number of places and situations. As a result knowledge regarding how more complex types of conflicts may occur in the future is still limited.