Military leaders and outside analysts have cautioned about China’s advancements in space. Gen. Stephen Whiting of U.S. Space Command recently cited China’s rapid growth in space-based surveillance capabilities, with 359 surveillance satellites. Maj. Gen. Greg Gagnon noted that China has seen a 550% increase in satellites since 2015.
However, the total number of Chinese satellites includes a variety of sectors. Of the 848 operational satellites in China, 179 are military and intelligence, while 271 are civil, 362 are commercial, and 36 are academic. This blurring of lines between sectors is a cause for concern in potential conflicts.
In comparison, the United States has 6,975 operational satellites, with 300 dedicated to military and intelligence purposes. The U.S. has been urged to leverage its commercial space sector more effectively to compete with China’s advancements.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) has shown promise in leveraging commercial innovation, but there is an urgent need to address bureaucratic disputes and develop new tactical ISR capabilities. Congress should consider reallocating funds from lower priorities within the Space Force’s budget to support these efforts.
To stay ahead of China in space technology, the U.S. must unleash the full potential of the Space Force and prioritize innovation and collaboration with the commercial space sector. It’s time to make the hard choices to maintain U.S. leadership in space.
