Long March 7 payload raises anti-satellite concerns

A secondary payload on China’s first Long March 7 launch has raised concerns about its anti-satellite applications. The Aolong-1 spacecraft is equipped with a robotic arm, a technology Chinese officials say is a test of future spacecraft to remove orbital debris. However, others are concerned the spacecraft is part of Chinese efforts to develop anti-satellite weapons, noting the technology to rendezvous with a “non-cooperative target” like a defunct satellite could also move or disable an active spacecraft. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Jun 29)