The United States and China are engaged in a global race over a crucial resource – time. Global positioning satellites, which serve as clocks in the sky, are essential for a vast array of services, from telecommunications to financial exchanges. However, these services are becoming increasingly vulnerable as space is militarized and satellite signals are targeted on Earth. The U.S. lacks a backup plan for civilians if these signals are disrupted, unlike China. The risks are not just theoretical – recent events have brought attention to the potential vulnerability of satellites to attacks.
Threats to satellite signals have been growing for years, with major world powers testing antisatellite missiles and technology aimed at disrupting signals. China, Russia, India, and the U.S. have all been involved in these activities. The economic impact of losing connection to these satellites would be enormous, amounting to billions of dollars a day. Despite recognizing the risks, the U.S. still lacks a reliable alternative source for time and navigation if GPS signals are interrupted. Various plans proposed over the years have not come to fruition, leaving the country vulnerable.
In contrast, China is aggressively moving ahead in establishing an independent timing system that does not rely on GPS signals. China’s advanced timing system will feature hundreds of timing stations on land and extensive underground fiber-optic cables, providing time and navigation services without depending on GPS. China also plans to launch more satellites as backup signal sources. The U.S., on the other hand, decommissioned its Loran system in 2010 and has made limited progress in developing alternative timing and navigation solutions.
Since President Trump’s executive order highlighting the threat to satellite signals, several companies have proposed options for alternative systems. Satelles, in collaboration with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, has developed a new source for time using low-Earth-orbit satellites. These signals are stronger and more resistant to jamming and spoofing than traditional GPS signals. China is also upgrading its system to protect against potential American attacks in space.
The U.S. military is developing GPS backup options for its own use, including the signal M-code, which is designed to resist jamming and perform better in wartime scenarios. The military is also working on distributing positioning, timing, and navigation services through low-Earth-orbit satellites. However, civilian systems remain vulnerable to disruptions in satellite signals, which could have far-reaching consequences for various sectors of the economy. The lack of a reliable alternative to GPS raises concerns about the country’s preparedness for potential signal disruptions.
As the space race unfolds, both the U.S. and China are making significant investments in securing their navigation and timing systems. The critical dependence on satellite signals for various services underscores the urgency of developing robust alternative solutions. While the U.S. is working on various options, the challenges of transitioning to new systems and ensuring their widespread adoption remain significant. The need for comprehensive protection of satellite signals and alternative timing sources is crucial to safeguarding essential services that rely on these technologies.
