Space. The newest warfighting domain is now congested, contested and features kinetic and non kinetic weapons in orbit… ⬇️

The US Secretary of the Air Force confirmed that Space Force has interceptors in orbit in his recent address to the Air & Space Forces Association as he noted that the US has the edge on potential adversaries and seeks to maintain it:

“This is allowing us to maintain and build our commercial and military space advantage. And I actually think this is an area where the US advantage will increase over the coming five to 10 years, not decrease. Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist. This is why the United States now has on orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”

Take it as granted China and Russia have the same. During the Biden administration it was revealed that Russia was developing a space-based nuclear weapon that could loiter in space for long durations. China has tested direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile to destroy one of its aging satellites over a decade ago.

It isn’t just superpowers generating capability in their Space Forces or equivalent. This week the United Kingdom announced the formation of unit whose mission will be to disrupt, degrade, and deny enemy activity targeting British interests in space:

“Announced today by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smith at the first-ever UK Space Power Conference, No. III Space Effects Squadron will bring together specialist personnel from across the Armed Forces to counter hostile activity in orbit and defend the satellites the nation depends on every day.”

The newest warfighting domain is quickly become congested and contested. While Governments and space agencies will be a key buyer, private sector innovation and entrepreneurship is rapidly building a dual use space industry. The free world’s space enterprise must rapidly design and adapt systems to both meet the threat posed by the arc of autocrats and enable our economies to leverage space to our advantage.

From giants like Space X to Australian sovereign capability in companies like Gilmour Space, HEO, Arkeus and Zendir, the commercial space industry is a fast growing opportunity. Australia can’t leave it up to our allies to secure space – time to play a greater part!

Food for thought as always.

📷 via NASA of a SpaceX rocket launching NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope