China had already showcased its ability to spot stealth jets with the Jilin-1 commercial satellite constellation, which successfully tracked an F-22 flying through clouds. But optical systems are limited by daylight and weather. They cannot operate at night or penetrate fog, clouds, or storms.

China remains America’s top threat in space and is catching up to the U.S. military’s space capabilities at an “incredible pace,” a top Space Force general said. Here, a visitor takes photos of replicas of space launch rockets at a 2021 airshow in ...

Reflect Orbital plans a constellation to enable solar power generation at night, make crops grow better and stronger, possibly replace urban lighting, provide