The Bottom Line Upfront
Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, has warned about China's "breathtakingly fast" development of space military capabilities, including the rapid development of counter-space weapons and the use of Space assets to enhance their terrestrial forces. The increasing number of Chinese satellites in orbit is a particular concern for the U.S. Space Command.
The Breakdown
- China's rapid development of Space military capabilities poses a significant challenge for the United States, as it could potentially threaten U.S. Space assets and undermine national security.
- China is rapidly developing a range of counter-Space weapons to hold at-risk U.S. space capabilities.
- China has tripled the number of intelligent surveillance and reconnaissance satellites in orbit in the past six years.
- The Chinese government is using Space capabilities to enhance the lethality, precision, and range of its terrestrial forces.
- China's ambitions to explore and conduct scientific research on the Moon raise concerns about potential military applications.
- The U.S. Space Command hopes for more transparency regarding China's activities on the Moon.
- Gen. Whiting emphasized the importance of collaboration between the United States and Japan in the space domain.
- Japan's Space Operations Group and the U.S. Space Command are working together to enhance Space domain awareness capabilities.
- Japan is planning to bring on board a deep Space radar that will provide an enhanced understanding of China's activities in Space.
