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Chinese Device Fires Silent Net to Capture Space Debris, but Experts Warn of Possible Use as Weapon Against Satellites.
Chinese researchers announced the creation of a compact launcher to capture space debris.
The equipment, described in the journal Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, uses a closed gas energy absorption mechanism to silently propel a capsule with a net toward targets in orbit.
Unlike conventional weapons, it does not produce smoke, flash, or significant vibration. This ensures precise operation without destabilizing the host spacecraft.
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The initial proposal is to assist in cleaning up space, but experts warn of the military potential.
Design and Operation of the Launcher
The system was developed by engineers from Nanjing, Shanghai, and Shenyang, under the leadership of Yue Shuai, associate professor at Nanjing University of Science and Technology.
It operates with a small charge of gunpowder that generates high-pressure gas. This gas moves a piston, breaking a fragile section at a predetermined pressure and releasing the projectile.
A ring with a 35-degree angle absorbs the recoil, folding inward like a flower, reducing the maximum impulse by more than 9% compared to a 20-degree ring.
The displacement of the barrel is minimal, only 3.45 millimeters. In addition, a sealed cap keeps the gas contained, preventing contamination in space.
According to researchers, the angle was crucial to maximize energy absorption and avoid impacts that could damage satellites.
Fighting Space Debris
The official mission is to address the increasing amount of debris in orbit, such as decommissioned satellites and rocket stages.
The launcher fires a capsule that opens a net to envelop and capture the object, guiding it into the atmosphere to be destroyed upon re-entry.
The equipment stands out for being compact, not requiring external power, and being able to be mass-produced in conventional factories.
Military Potential and Geopolitical Risks
Compared to electromagnetic cannons, which require large power sources and complex systems, the use of gunpowder is cheaper, more durable, and simpler for continuous operation in space.
Although the study does not mention military purposes, analysts assert that the technology could be adapted to disable enemy communication or reconnaissance satellites.
A space scientist from Beijing, interviewed by the South China Morning Post, stated that such an attack would be practically undetectable, potentially appearing only as a technical malfunction.
The development arises in a context of increasing geopolitical rivalry in space.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits nuclear weapons in orbit and mandates the peaceful use of celestial bodies but does not explicitly outlaw kinetic weapons.
Future of Technology
It is still unclear whether the launcher is already in operation or in testing phases.
Yue’s academic profile indicates experience in space weapon systems and mentions that he already has two payloads in orbit, with new launches planned.
The advancement reinforces China’s investment in dual-use technologies — civilian and military.
For experts, the new development highlights the urgency for clearer international norms to prevent conflicts and misunderstandings in the space environment.
