Competitors are investing heavily in their own space programs, some aiming to counter U.S. capabilities. Simultaneously, the commercial space sector introduces both opportunities and risks.
Recognizing the implications to national security, the Department of Defense (DoD) has made securing the freedom to operate in space a top priority. Despite significant efforts, including 2024’s Commercial Space Integration Strategy, the pace of change and the scale of threats demand even bolder action that includes:
This whitepaper examines the evolving challenges in space and provides the DoD recommendations to secure its position in this vital domain.
Shijian-23 prior to launch from Wenchang SLCSource: Wikipedia
Space might appear peaceful, but beneath the calm lies a simmering contest for dominance. Choices the DoD makes today shape the future of space—whether it remains a domain of peace or becomes a new battlefield.
Both China and Russia are developing technologies designed to cripple U.S. reliance on satellites – including kinetic, radiofrequency, directed energy, and potentially even nuclear weapons. In 2020, China tested satellites capable of approaching and potentially interfering with other satellites, exemplifying the dual-use nature of such technologies.. Satellites seemingly launched for research, like China’s Shijian series, could easily change roles during a conflict, becoming platforms for espionage or orbital sabotage.
Russia’s resurgence in Anti-Satellite (ASAT) testing and its deployment of the highly maneuverable “Luch” satellite are further signals of intent. Beyond physical attacks, accusations of Russian cyber attacks and electronic jamming aimed at satellites highlight the multitude of ways space systems can be disrupted.
Meanwhile, these adversaries view U.S. development of maneuverable satellites and dual-use commercial communications and imaging constellations with growing suspicion.
The threat isn’t limited to these two major powers. India’s 2019 ASAT test demonstrated the proliferation of these capabilities. Smaller spacefaring nations like Iran and North Korea, while framing their programs as civilian, raise concerns about the potential masking of long-range missile development within their launch capabilities.
The battle isn’t confined to the physical realm but also extends into the informational one. The use of space imagery and data to spread false narratives can erode public trust in space-based data, escalate geopolitical tensions, and influence military operations. This type of information warfare was evident during the Bucha Massacre in 2022, where satellite images documented the atrocities, countered by Russian attempts to discredit them with their own satellite images.
Adding to the complexity is the blurring line between government and commercial space. Private companies launch rockets, operate satellites filled with sophisticated sensors, and envision a future of in-space repair and construction. The potential for deliberate or unintended data-sharing with adversaries or repurposing seemingly benign technologies for harmful ends creates significant risks in this new world of space.
Space is no longer a static domain; it’s a cutting-edge laboratory rewriting the rules of warfare and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Maintaining the DoD’s competitive edge means investing in cutting-edge technologies and adapting doctrine and training to the unique demands of space warfare.
Hypersonic glide vehicles are a prime example of fantasy becoming reality, and a strategist’s nightmare. Think of Russia’s Avangard or China’s DF-17 missiles capable of blazing through the atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while weaving unpredictable trajectories. Traditional missile defenses, designed for ballistic arcs, struggle against these maneuverable weapons. The DoD urgently needs to develop counter-hypersonic capabilities and rethink early warning systems that rely on outdated assumptions.
Meanwhile, space-based surveillance is undergoing its own revolution. Imagine constellations of smaller satellites providing relentless, near-real-time views of the entire globe, or sensors able to pierce camouflage with advanced imaging or infrared detection. Adversaries will find it harder to hide, forcing the DoD to adapt tactics and countermeasures designed for an era where concealment was easier.
The dream of on-orbit servicing and refueling is becoming reality as well. Companies like Northrop Grumman have demonstrated satellite refueling with their Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs), extending the lifespan of valuable assets and increasing freedom of maneuver in orbit. Projects underway explore the possibility of in-space assembly of structures. This logistical revolution has huge military implications, but also introduces challenges for the DoD: new policies for in-space activities, security protocols to safeguard orbital infrastructure, and stringent scrutiny of supply chains involved in this critical domain.
And that’s not all. Satellites with edge compute capabilities could analyze vast data or orchestrate complex maneuvers, increasing the speed and autonomy of orbital operations. Directed energy weapons in space, once the stuff of sci-fi, could threaten satellites with beams capable of disabling sensitive electronics.
Imagine space as a new Wild West, a vast frontier where the sheriff’s badge is tarnished, and the rulebook feels more like a dusty relic than a law of the land.
Conventions like the Outer Space Treaty now seem woefully inadequate. Its focus on cooperation is well-intentioned, but it has failed to contain the militarization of space. Even the 1972 Space Liability Convention, meant to address damages caused by space objects, says little about deliberate acts of aggression.
Ambiguity is the word of the day. A seemingly innocent satellite launched for ‘scientific purposes’ might carry sensors and capabilities raising alarms about its dual-use potential. When one country’s satellite maneuvers near another’s, is it an innocent calibration or a prelude to an attack? Can nations stake a claim on orbits, militarizing sections of the sky? And when satellites collide, like in the 2009 Iridium-Kosmos event, it’s like a cosmic car crash, littering orbits with cascading debris.
Right now, it feels like a lawless vacuum up there. We urgently need new norms, definitions, and rules of the road. What exactly counts as a ‘space weapon’? How close is too close when it comes to maneuvers in orbit? And what do we do with the growing menace of orbital debris – a threat to all spacefaring nations?
This is where U.S. leadership plays an indispensable role. Working with allies, the U.S. can spearhead a framework for space, one that balances security with the freedom of exploration that’s been humanity’s guiding star for decades. The alternative is to cede this rulemaking to others, potentially adversaries, whose vision of space might be one the U.S. would rather avoid.
The Axiom-1 private spaceflight approaches the International Space Station, source: Wikipedia
The commercial space revolution is the catalyst propelling us into a new era of innovation. It’s akin to Silicon Valley among the stars, breaking down cost barriers and accelerating technological advancements at an unprecedented pace.
Rather than building everything from scratch, the DoD can harness this entrepreneurial energy. New launch providers are driving down prices and improving flexibility, putting responsive space access within reach. Need high-resolution imagery on demand? Companies like Planet Labs and Maxar provide these services without the need for costly military satellites. Seeking a resilient communication network? SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation provides strength in numbers, with thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Among the most significant commercial projects is SpaceX’s Starship launch vehicle – the most powerful rocket ever built. Full, rapid reusability and enormous capacity has the potential to reduce launch costs, loosen payload mass and form factor constraints, and improve the agility of space operations. This rocket could revolutionize the DoD’s approach to deploying and maintaining space assets, providing unmatched capability at a much lower price point.
For the DoD, the growing commercial industry is a national asset that enables faster, cheaper access to cutting-edge space capabilities. By tapping into the innovation and agility of the commercial space sector, the DoD can significantly enhance its operational efficiency and technological edge – and by sending robust and open demand signals, DoD can steer private investment towards the technologies it critically needs.
Harnessing the potential of the commercial space industry is essential for maintaining and advancing U.S. superiority and prosperity in space. By leveraging these entrepreneurial advancements, the DoD can ensure that it remains at the forefront of space exploration and security, driving forward into a new era of possibilities.
The future of American superiority and prosperity in space hangs in the balance. To secure that future, the DoD cannot afford the luxury of complacency. The recommendations below offer a roadmap, but success requires more than good intentions. Swift implementation and strategic investments ensure America maintains its edge in this vital domain.
Leverage the innovation of the commercial space sector while instituting robust controls to safeguard sensitive technologies.
Develop a distributed, redundant, and rapidly replenishable space infrastructure to ensure operational continuity.
Streamline processes for collaboration with commercial entities, ensuring swift and efficient acquisition of critical capabilities.
Spearhead the creation of international norms and standards for space activities, promoting stability and deterring aggression.
Foster a highly skilled workforce equipped with cutting-edge knowledge in space technologies and operations.
Implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect the hybrid space network from emerging threats.
Adversary initiative, ambitious commercial activity, shifts in the technology and cost curves that shape space operations – DoD faces an environment of growing complexity. Linear planning models fall short, and the risk of strategic surprise grows.
Embracing scenario planning provides the DoD a powerful approach to developing strategies that are resilient to surprise. Through scenario planning, the DoD can test the viability and consequences of assumptions about the space environment and improve the agility of strategic planning for the final frontier.