The United States, Britain and Australia have signed an agreement to develop a long-range space radar that can monitor what’s going on in geosynchronous orbit. Located approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth, this region is one of the most remote areas where satellites operate. Interestingly, each spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit always hovers over the same region of Earth, matching the duration of its orbit with the rate at which our planet rotates once relative to the background stars.

The new system planned to monitor this part of space is known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, or DARC. DARC will provide 24/7 all-weather radar coverage for the three countries, called the AUKUS Security Partnership. According to a U.S. Department of Defense statement released Dec. 1, the agreement “accelerates capabilities provided by trilateral partners with advanced technologies to detect emerging threats in space.”

The announcement reinforces the Space Force’s focus on what is known as space awareness, which is the ability to identify, track and monitor various objects in orbit around Earth. “As space rapidly evolves, we must continue to take measured steps to ensure our collective ability to operate safely, and our nations are uniquely positioned to provide this capability on a global scale,” said Gen. Chance Salzman, Chief of U.S. Space Operations.

The Space Force successfully tested a technology demonstrator for the future DARC system at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 2021, the Space Force said. Northrop Grumman received a $341 million contract to develop technology for the program in 2022.

The first of three DARC sites is planned for Western Australia and is expected to be operational by 2026. According to the Space Force’s statement, all three sites should be online by 2030. It is expected to cost $1 billion.

“DARC will integrate from the Australian site with other DARC sites in the United States and the United Kingdom. “It will provide a space domain intelligence capability to deter nations from taking actions contrary to Australia’s interests, as well as providing continuous global detection and surveillance of satellites in space,” said Australian Lieutenant General John Fruen, Joint Forces Commander.

The selection of Australia as the first DARC region comes at a time when military tensions continue to escalate in the Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses both the Indian and Pacific oceans; The mechanism in this location will mainly aim to counter China’s increasing military presence.

China currently owns and operates approximately half of the world’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) satellites; the majority of which can support tracking, tracking and targeting of U.S. and allied weapons around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. data. 2023 Report submitted by the US Department of Defense to the US Congress.

“Recent advances in China’s space-based ISR capabilities highlight the development, procurement and deployment of increasingly powerful satellites with digital camera technology, as well as space-based radars for 24/7 coverage in all weather conditions,” the report continued.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the Chinese military has used hundreds of these satellites to gather intelligence on US military exercises with its partners in the region. In October 2023, some of these satellites maneuvered “within hundreds of meters of colliding with an Australian satellite,” ABC reported. “We were concerned about the possibility of debris,” an Australian military official told the ABC. “It was an interesting situation to deal with.”

Other Chinese satellites in high geosynchronous orbits are approaching American satellites suspected of being operated by the US Space Force. To monitor these specific activities in geosynchronous orbit, the Space Force has initiated the design of a stealth spacecraft that would act as a “watchdog” for its own satellites and is enlisting private companies to help accelerate technology to help it respond to emerging threats in space.