Experts from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission urge lawmakers to take action as China continues to advance its space-related activities, Space News reported Thursday. Members of the commission, which was established in 2000 to analyze the national security impacts of U.S. trade relations with China, testified before Congress on the actions the government must take to address China’s space achievements and growing anti-satellite arsenal.
According to Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, the service branch is investing technologies to address potential threats. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the Department of Defense must improve deterrence and develop satellite communications capabilities with advanced encryption and anti-jamming features.
“Ultimately, to effectively deter conflict from extending into space we must credibly communicate that we are prepared to fight a conflict that extends into space,†he added.
Mark Stokes, executive director of the Project 2049 Institute, warned that China’s counter space technologies could potentially target U.S. space assets including GPS, communications and reconnaissance capabilities.
About the Wash100
The Wash100 award, now in its sixth year, recognizes the most influential executives in the GovCon industry as selected by the Executive Mosaic team in tandem with online nominations from the GovCon community. Representing the best of the private and public sector, the winners demonstrate superior leadership, innovation, reliability, achievement and vision.
Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2019 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2019.
