Drone warfare in space: Swarms of autonomous, laser-shooting cubesats could defend Western satellites in orbit

Shield Space, a British company, is developing a defense system modeled after drone tactics used in Ukraine. The project aims to deploy swarms consisting of as many as one hundred autonomously operated cubesats designed specifically for protecting Western satellites. These cubesats will be equipped with lasers capable of disabling incoming threats targeting orbital assets. This initiative reflects a growing concern about potential attacks on critical infrastructure and national security through space-based systems. Shield Space’s strategy leverages recent battlefield experiences to create a rapid response capability against adversaries utilizing similar technologies.