China 'First Island' Satellite Claim — Why Space Could Decide a US-China War | Taiwan Talk

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:57:40 +0000

The US–China “space race” is accelerating, with Beijing claiming that it can now track ships and aircraft anywhere on Earth using just three satellites in geostationary orbit. If verified, this capability could transform space-based intelligence and targeting. It comes shortly after the US’ successful completion of the Artemis II mission around the moon. Meanwhile, the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are showing how space-based assets, from missile warning systems to GPS jamming, are becoming central to modern warfare. In this episode, we examine China’s latest space ambitions, how they compare with US capabilities, and what this evolving contest in orbit could mean for military strategy, Taiwan’s security and the balance of geopolitical power on Earth and beyond.

*Recorded on April 16, 2026 at 1pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Consultant: Max Yu
Research Assistant: April Lin, Ryan Pham

Our guests:

Jason YS Chen
- Taiwan Innovative Space Inc. Founder and Chair
Mark Montgomery
- US Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.)

Chapters:
00:00:00 – China, US’s New ‘Space Race’
00:01:18 – How Could China Use Satellite Tech?
00:05:32 – How Is Space Tech Altering Warfare?
00:08:30 – US Applies Tech to Countering Missiles
00:13:27 – US, Israel Jammed Iran Systems
00:16:41 – Is US or China Winning ‘Space Race’?
00:22:08 – Are Heavy Lift Launchers a Gamechanger?

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