{"id":17334,"date":"2020-06-23T15:22:32","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T15:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/23\/china-wants-to-dominate-space-and-the-us-must-take-countermeasures\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:12:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T16:12:46","slug":"china-wants-to-dominate-space-and-the-us-must-take-countermeasures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2020\/06\/23\/china-wants-to-dominate-space-and-the-us-must-take-countermeasures\/","title":{"rendered":"China wants to dominate space, and the US must take countermeasures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

China is determined to replace the U.S. as the dominant power in space. While proclaiming its peaceful intentions, Beijing\u2019s doctrine considers space a military domain, and it is investing heavily in space infrastructure designed to secure<\/a> both economic and military advantages. To ensure that it continues to compete from a position of strength, the U.S. must invest sufficient resources<\/a> in preparing its new Space Force to defend America\u2019s national interests and security in space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beijing\u2019s rapidly improving capabilities<\/a> are clear to see. On May 5, China successfully launched<\/a> the Long March-5B rocket designed to eventually transport astronauts into space. This was the first successful launch of any Long March rocket this year after failed attempts to launch the Long March-3B<\/a> in April and Long March-7A<\/a> in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three weeks later, China completed back-to-back launches from two separate launch facilities placing Earth-imaging and technology demonstration satellites into orbit. China plans to launch more than 60 spacecraft in over 40 launches in 2020, and has led global launches over the past two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\t