China in Space: Implications for U.S. Military Strategy

Abstract

China's January 11, 2007, launch of an antisatellite (ASAT) weapon against a low Earth orbit satellite heralded the end of a self-imposed 20-year period in which the United States and Russia had refrained from using destructive weapons in space. In addition to highlighting a growing capacity to limit the use of space by others, China's demonstration has generated demands for the United States to review its space policy and establish agreements to prevent the use of space for military purposes. Others have called for the opposite: a renewed space race and the deployment of space-based weapons. One thing is clear, however: China's growing space capability has profound implications for U.S. military strategy and, ultimately, national policy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA518153

Entities

People

  • P. G. Metzler

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Command And Control
  • Deployment
  • Earth Orbits
  • Economic Development
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • Orbits
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Based
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Economics
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites