April 15, 2022
Space From Page 8 all major categories: communications, remote sensing, aviation and science and technology demonstration.” Kevin Ryder, a DIA senior defense intelligence analyst for space and counterspace, explained just how much China and Russia have grown their space capabilities. “Evidence of both nations’ intent to undercut the United States and allied leadership in the space domain can be seen in
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/CLASSIFIEDS the growth of combined in-orbit assets of China and Russia, which grew approximately 70% in just two years,” Ryder said. “This recent and continuing expansion follows a more than 200% increase between 2015 and 2018.” Ryder said that China has launched a robotic lander and rover to the far side of the moon as well as an orbiter lander and rover on a mission to Mars. China has also launched multiple missiles which are capable of both destroying satellites and deploying jammers to deny satellite communications and GPS. The Russians, Ryder said,
have developed mobile missile technology that is able to destroy satellites and crewed space vehicles. They’ve also developed counterspace weapons capabilities, including those capable of conducting electronic warfare operations, to affect communications and deny others the use of space-based imagery. Ryder also discussed the goals of China and Russia when it comes to the moon and Mars. “Both nations seek to broaden their space exploration initiatives, together and individually, with plans to explore the moon and Mars during the next 30 years,” he said. “If successful,
these efforts will likely lead to attempts by Beijing and Moscow to exploit the moon’s natural resources.” While the number of spacefaring nations grows, Ryder said the U.S. space posture will continue to be challenged and U.S. space assets will face new risks. “A secure, stable and assessable space domain is crucial as challenges to the United States’ and our allies’ space capabilities continue to increase,” Ryder said. The new report, “Challenges to Security in Space 2022,” he said, offers insights from space intelligence experts on those
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NASA photo
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. threats and will be used by defense leaders to make future decisions regarding space operations.
