The US has confirmed China has successfully blocked one of its spy satellites using a ground-to-space laser.

The high-powered light was able to blind onboard cameras, acknowledged National Reconnaissance Office director Donald Kerr, responding to a report in Defense News. He said: "It makes us think."

Alluding to wider concerns about the vulerabilities of communications satellites, Air Force space commander general Kevin Chilton said: "We're at a point where the technology's out there and the capability for people to do things to our satellites is there. I'm focused on it beyond any single event."

The incident is likely to reignite the debate over the US's own anti-satellite programme, for which the House of Representatives attempted to block funding.

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