OUR DRIVE-The United States issued a stark warning that space is now emerging as a contested military domain.
China and Russia continue to expand their capabilities which have the potential to threaten global security, satellite infrastructure and international stability.
In recent Congressional hearings, lawmakers and experts described a strategic shift in which competition is intensifying on the military, commercial and diplomatic fronts.
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“Space is now a densely contested domain that the US Space Force describes as a war zone,” said Congressman Keith Self, who chaired the American parliamentary subcommittee hearing.
He added that the reality in space today is very different compared to 50 years ago.
China is in the spotlight as the most significant long-term challenger to US leadership.
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Kari Bingen, director of the Space Security Project at CSIS, said Beijing is using space as a diplomatic tool to expand influence in Southern countries.
“China is the most significant threat and competitor in the space field,” said Bingen.
Congressman Keith Self also highlighted China’s aggressive maneuvers in orbit, including pushing a defunct satellite out of orbit.
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“Short-range operations that the US Space Force describes as air combat in orbit,” Self added.
On the other hand, Russia remains a serious threat, especially regarding the development of advanced nuclear-capable anti-satellite weapons.
“For years, Russia has deployed nuclear-capable anti-satellite weapons that, if used, would have a devastating impact on satellite operations in low Earth orbit,” Self said.
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This capability is considered to be able to paralyze military systems as well as world civil infrastructure, such as financial and communications networks.
The trial underscored that modern warfare now relies heavily on satellites for intelligence, precision targeting and missile warning.
Kari Bingen cited the conflict in Ukraine as evidence of how space assets can balance military power.
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Currently, more than 80 percent of satellites are commercially owned with more than 100 countries operating in space.
Scott Pace, director of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, calls this phenomenon a “heteropolar world order.”
In response, the US pushed for initiatives such as the Artemis Accords involving more than 60 countries.
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This alliance is considered crucial for establishing rules of behavior in outer space so that the risk of miscalculation and conflict can be minimized.
“If the United States doesn’t take the lead in establishing rules of conduct in space, other countries will,” said Mallory Stewart, chief executive of the US Strategic Risk Council.
Experts are calling for a more coordinated diplomatic and economic strategy, including deep collaboration with partners in the Indo-Pacific such as Japan, Australia, South Korea and especially India, to ensure future space stability and governance.***
