US Military Sounding the Alarm: China and Russia’s Space Ambitions Threaten Security
The U.S. military is increasingly concerned about the growing space capabilities of China and Russia, warning of potential threats to U.S. assets in orbit and beyond. Unclear signaling, ambiguous policies and technological advancements by these nations could make deterring attacks in space "extremely challenging", according to recent reports and statements.
A new study by the Center for Naval Analyses, published by the Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute, highlights the difficulties in deterring China from attacking U.S. space assets. The report emphasizes that improving the resilience of U.S. space architecture, expanding counterspace capabilities, improving space domain awareness, and promoting international norms of behavior in space could help deter the most escalatory attacks. The goal should be to "deny the People’s Republic of China the advantage of a first strike," according to the report.
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, echoed these concerns at the POLITICO Security Summit, pinpointing China's "kill web" – a network of hundreds of satellites providing real-time targeting information – as a significant threat. He warned of China's "accelerated ability to put capacity on orbit," and Russia's reckless behavior and ambition of putting a nuclear weapon on orbit. The partnership between the United States' adversaries is also cause for worry, when the Kremlin and Beijing signed a deal to build a joint nuclear power plant on the moon for their planned International Lunar Research Station project.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, has also raised alarms about China's expanding space infrastructure in Latin America. He announced the establishment of Space South command to monitor the growing Chinese presence in the region. Holsey notes that there are numerous Chinese-linked space sites across the region, including those involved in space object surveillance, identification, and telemetry, tracking and control, all vital for military space operations.
The U.S. military is working to enhance its space domain awareness and develop effective responses to potential threats. This includes improving the resilience of space architecture via redundant, replaceable systems, a capability Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman championed in 2023. Furthermore, encouraging international norms in space could reduce ambiguity and miscommunication between countries.
Given China's ambition to have space projects near by the United States, SouthCom Admiral Alvin Holsey commented during a security conference at Florida International University in Miami: "Space is really huge for me." As international tensions rise, the necessity for discussion only grows.
Russia has also demonstrated reckless aggressive behaviors with regards to how they intend to contest the space domain, impacts of which are far reaching beyond localized military effect, according to Saltzman.Will increased competition lead to conflict, or can shared interests in space exploration foster cooperation? What steps can be taken to de-escalate tensions and establish clear rules of engagement in space? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
