The US X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

美国X-37B空天飞机。

Recently, a US commercial space company announced that it had secured a USD60 million contract from the US Space Force to develop an orbital transport vehicle. According to available information, the vehicle will be capable of carrying multiple maneuverable satellites and releasing them rapidly to perform various tasks when needed. For this reason, it has been dubbed an "orbital carrier." Analysts warn that once operational, the program will not only enhance the US military's space combat capabilities but also intensify military competition in outer space and pose a serious threat to space security.

不久前，美国一家商业航天公司宣布其获得美太空军价值6000万美元的合同，负责开发轨道运输机。根据相关介绍，这款轨道运输机可预先搭载多颗具备机动能力的卫星，必要时迅速释放执行各种任务，由此也被称为“轨道航母”。有分析人士指出，该项目一旦成功，在提高美军太空作战能力的同时，势必也将加剧太空军事博弈，给太空安全带来严重挑战。

The US has long attached great importance to securing dominance in space. To gain the upper hand in offensive and defensive operations, the US Space Force views space mobility as a core capability and has made sustained satellite maneuverability a top priority in its development agenda. In 2023, the US Space Force introduced the concept of "Dynamic Space Operations," which advocates for large-scale on-orbit maneuvers by spacecraft to provide space-based information support and conduct offensive and defensive operations. In April this year, the US Space Force designated "space control" as one of its core functions and prioritized the development of on-orbit maneuverability. The "orbital carrier" program is expected to further advance the implementation of relevant concepts and facilitate related deployments.

长期以来，美国一直都非常重视对制天权的争夺。为在攻防对抗中占据主动权，美太空军将太空机动性视为核心能力之一，把实现持续的卫星机动列为军种建设的优先事项。2023年，美太空军就提出“动态太空行动”概念，主张通过航天器大范围在轨机动，动态遂行天基信息支援与攻防对抗作战。今年4月，美太空军将“太空控制”确立为太空军核心职能，把在轨机动能力作为建设重点。“轨道航母”项目将进一步推进相关概念及部署落地。

Traditionally, launching satellites from the ground is a time-consuming process, and most satellites are confined to their designated orbits until they run out of fuel. Besides, satellite networks are vulnerable to space environment disruptions and potential adversary attacks, so they often lack survivability and operational resilience. In contrast, an "orbital carrier" could serve as a pre-positioned launch platform in space that is capable of deploying new satellites within hours in response to emerging threats. This rapid replenishment capability would enable the US military to maintain continuous situational awareness and communication functions, even in the face of critical infrastructure losses.

从传统上来看，由地面发射卫星往往耗时较久，且这些卫星大多只能保持在其轨道上运行，直至燃料耗尽。此外，卫星网络易遭受太空环境干扰或敌方破坏，生存能力薄弱、运行韧性不足。“轨道航母”在面对突发太空威胁时，则可充当太空中的预置发射平台，在数小时内部署新卫星。这种快速弥补被摧毁关键设施的能力，可确保美军持续的态势感知和通信能力。

The "orbital carrier" could also enhance the tactical responsiveness of the US military. The US Space Force aims to achieve its Tactically Responsive Space objective by 2026, which envisions placing satellites into designated orbits within 24 hours of receiving a launch order. If successfully developed, the "orbital carrier," with its long-term deployment model characterized by pre-positioning in orbit and on-demand release, would allow satellites to adjust their orbits or orientations in response to evolving mission needs. This would significantly improve deployment efficiency and maneuverability, and enable rapid occupation of advantageous orbital positions at critical moments.

“轨道航母”还可加强美军的战术响应能力。美太空军计划于2026年实现“战术响应太空”目标，即从接到发射命令起，在24小时内将卫星送入既定轨道。若“轨道航母”成功开发，其“轨道预置+按需释放”的长期驻留模式，可根据任务的变化，及时调整卫星的轨道或姿态，将有效提高部署效率和机动能力，关键时刻能够迅速抢占有利轨位。

Available information suggests that the "orbital carrier" may be designed with reserved interfaces for mounting weapons to enable the rapid execution of offensive or defensive tactical operations. This development would further increase the opacity of military activities in outer space, thus warranting serious concern. After all, it would be extremely difficult for other countries to determine whether the system is carrying satellites or offensive weapons capable of launching attacks. Some foreign experts have warned that once this technology matures, orbital transport vehicles could be readily converted into space-based weapons platforms, which would turn outer space into a battlefield for the arbitrary deployment of weapons. Given such uncertainties, other countries may be compelled to take countermeasures to safeguard their security, which could in turn escalate military confrontation in space and pose serious challenges to global space governance.

相关资料表明，“轨道航母”在设计时或将预留武器搭载接口，助力快速实施进攻或防御的战术行动。这就加剧了太空军事的不透明性，需要引起高度警惕。毕竟其他国家很难准确判断其搭载的是卫星，还是能发动袭击的进攻性武器。有国外专家分析认为，这种技术一旦成熟，轨道运输机可随时转化为太空武器平台，将使太空变成随意部署武器的战场。专家指出，面对这种不确定性，其他国家为了自身安全，不得不采取相应的措施，这极有可能导致太空军事对抗的升级，给太空治理带来巨大挑战。