What's Happening?
Space experts in the United States are urging a comprehensive interagency approach to maintain a competitive edge over China in cislunar space activities. During a Washington Space Business Roundtable
event, experts highlighted the need for the Space Force, the Pentagon, NASA, and the Intelligence Community to collaborate more closely. This call to action comes as China advances its lunar exploration efforts, including plans for a crewed Moon mission by 2030. The U.S. aims to enhance its space domain awareness and navigation capabilities, with initiatives like NASA's Artemis program and the Space Force's Oracle program. The experts emphasized the geopolitical and economic stakes of lunar operations, suggesting that China may seek to establish space governance rules by maintaining a constant presence on the Moon.
Why It's Important?
The push for a unified strategy underscores the strategic importance of cislunar space, which holds significant national security, economic, and political value. As China progresses in its space endeavors, the U.S. risks falling behind in setting the rules for space governance. A coordinated approach could ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in space exploration and defense, protecting its interests and those of its allies. The collaboration between government agencies and the private sector is crucial for leveraging commercial advancements and maintaining technological superiority. Failure to act could result in China dictating the terms of space exploration and governance, potentially challenging U.S. sovereignty and influence in space.
What's Next?
The U.S. government and its agencies are expected to develop an intersectoral strategy to enhance collaboration and leverage commercial capabilities. This strategy will likely focus on integrating efforts across civil, defense, and intelligence sectors to address the challenges posed by China's space ambitions. The Space Force and NASA will continue to advance their programs, such as Artemis and Oracle, to strengthen U.S. presence and capabilities in cislunar space. The private sector's role will be pivotal in providing innovative solutions and technologies to support these efforts.
