Japan Develops Defense Satellite That Prevents Attacks On Communication Satellites

 In Tom Clancy's acclaimed novel Red Storm Rising, the United States shoots down a Soviet spy satellite as war breaks out in Germany. The once fictional scenario is about to become a reality after Russia threatened to shoot down a European communications satellite for helping Ukraine. With satellites being an important communication system, satellite defense systems now need to be developed.

Northrop Grumman and IHI Corporation announced a collaboration to develop a defense satellite that can prevent attacks on Japanese commercial satellites. The Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellite will use a Northrop Grumman design with a propulsion system by IHI. Compared to normal satellites, SDA has the ability to move more freely in orbit than normal satellites.

The memorandum of understanding between Northrop Grumman and IHI has just been signed so the system used to maintain commercial satellites in orbit is still unknown.