https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a18197465/russia-china-anti-satellite-weapons/
According to the “Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community,” US intelligence agencies say that Russia and China will have fully operational anti satellite (ASAT) weapon. It has also been reported that they have begun training to use the weapons. This could pose a huge threat to US satellite operations. The weapon weighs 1200 lb and works and uses an imaging infrared seeker to home in on its target. It has been tested 7 times since 2007.
This advancement in military engineering technology may lead to a small arms race between the US, Russia, and China to try to not only develop weapons but also create defenses against them. The fact is that this could pose a huge threat to most major countries that rely on satellites everyday. This arms race could make many advancements in space and satellite technologies.
The most reassuring thing that has come out of this is that Russia and China have become just as reliable on satellites as the U.S., and the ASAT weapons would devastate both side’s satellites. It also doesn’t seem like Russia or China is trying to make a “first strike” space technology, just more defenses in case of a war.
It relates to engineering because it is a military technology that needed engineering and extensive calibration to be built and function properly.
