Overall, experts said the satellite strike was of limited value as a weapons system test because the spacecraft was many times larger than missiles that might be targeted.
Further, experts said that although the operation showed that the United States can knock a satellite out of the sky, most space-based platforms that America might seek to disable in a conflict are much farther away. Spy satellites generally orbit at an altitude of 300 miles, experts said, and communications satellites typically hover 22,300 miles above the Earth.
Some experts have expressed concern that the operation would provoke an arms race in space with China and other nations. Largely because of that concern, the United States was harshly critical of China for striking one of its own low-orbit satellites last year.
China had registered its objections before the satellite's destruction, and reiterated its concerns Thursday.
"China is continuously following closely the possible harm caused by the U.S. action to outer space security and relevant countries," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
"China requests the U.S. . . . provide to the international community necessary information and relevant data in a timely and prompt way," the spokesman said.
Gates said U.S. officials would provide "whatever appropriately we can."
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greg.miller@latimes.com
Times staff writer Peter Spiegel in Honolulu contributed to this report.
