PROGRAM · Main Graph

NUDT Spheromak Program

ID: nudt-spheromak

PROGRAM Main Graph Dossier Available

Summary

The National University of Defense Technology (NUDT, Changsha) published a 2024 paper on spheromak plasma rings for 'remote magnetic control of space targets.' The coaxial gun system generates plasma rings at ~1,000 km/s velocity with 10^16 cm^-3 electron density and ~1 T magnetic fields. Stated applications include de-spinning and reclaiming satellites. The system has clear dual-use ASAT potential. Multiple follow-up publications through 2025.

Deep Dive Analysis

NUDT's 2024 paper (Zhao, Zhang, Yang, Huang, Ma — Systems Engineering and Electronics, Vol. 46, Issue 1, pp. 261-270, DOI: 10.12305/j.issn.1001-506X.2024.01.30) describes a coaxial gun system with 1.2 m electrode length, 20 kV voltage, 350 μF capacitance, generating spheromak plasma rings at ~1,000 km/s with 10^16 cm^-3 electron density, 1 MJ/m² energy density, and ~1 T toroidal/poloidal magnetic fields. The application is 'remote magnetic control of space targets' including de-spinning/reclaiming satellites, rendezvous/docking, and spacecraft formation. A 2007 USCC report identified 'Plasma Attack against Low-Orbit Spy Satellites' as a Chinese ASAT concept. Follow-up publications include a 2025 electromagnetic de-tumbling review, a 2023 particle beam space transmission paper, and 2025 plasma cloud propagation and generation studies. The 2025 generation study achieved 620 km/s emission velocity with 25 kV initial voltage. NUDT is a military university directly under the PLA.

Key Findings

  • ▸ NUDT's 2024 paper (Zhao, Zhang, Yang, Huang, Ma — Systems Engineering and Electronics, Vol.
  • ▸ 30) describes a coaxial gun system with 1.
  • ▸ 2 m electrode length, 20 kV voltage, 350 μF capacitance, generating spheromak plasma rings at ~1,000 km/s with 10^16 cm^-3 electron density, 1 MJ/m² energy density, and ~1 T toroidal/poloidal magnetic fields.

Citations (4)

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
  4. [4] — U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

Related Entities (2)

marauder

PROGRAM
→ connected
Dossier Main Graph

HIT-Shabanov Collaboration

PROGRAM
← connected
Dossier Main Graph

Network Graph

Explore NUDT Spheromak Program and its connections in the interactive network graph.

View in Network Graph

Source Documents (1)

Research References

Search the research archive for documents and investigations related to NUDT Spheromak Program.

Search Research Archive

Country Analysis

This entity appears in the following country-specific network graphs:

China

China Graph

Country-Specific Graph
→

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NUDT Spheromak Program? ▾
The National University of Defense Technology (NUDT, Changsha) published a 2024 paper on spheromak plasma rings for 'remote magnetic control of space targets.' The coaxial gun system generates plasma rings at ~1,000 km/s velocity with 10^16 cm^-3 electron density and ~1 T magnetic fields. Stated applications include de-spinning and reclaiming satellites. The system has clear dual-use ASAT potential. Multiple follow-up publications through 2025.
What is NUDT Spheromak Program connected to? ▾
NUDT Spheromak Program is directly connected to 2 entities in the network graph, including marauder, HIT-Shabanov Collaboration. These connections represent documented relationships such as connected, connected. Explore the full network using the interactive graph for complete relationship mapping.
Where can I find more details about NUDT Spheromak Program? ▾
A full intelligence dossier is available for NUDT Spheromak Program, including 1 source document, deep-dive analysis, and network linkage assessment. Visit the dossier page for the complete profile.

Related Links

Network Graph Timeline Dossiers Glossary Research Full Dossier