China may surpass US to become a space superpower in the next decad

Washington/Beijing: A US report has warned that if urgent steps are not taken to end the predicament in the USA’s space sector, China will overtake the United States in the next decade to become a space superpower. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the United States Space Force (USSF), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have jointly released the 2022 State of the Space Industrial Base report. It has been warned in the report that China has prepared a ‘grand plan’ to gain military and economic dominance in space many years ago. At the same time, on the other hand, the report accused that the US space sector is facing administrative disinterest and other difficulties.

‘The United States needs to formulate a policy for the space sector, not just for three years, five years, ten years from now, but for the 21st Century. Space and America’s future in it will be the formula for the policy. Only with a long-term approach can the United States chart success in the space sector,’ said Steve Butow, a senior official at the Defense Innovation Unit, explaining the stand taken in the report. The 2022 State of the Space Industrial Base report mentions the ‘North Star Vision’ of the time of former US President John F. Kennedy. The report pointed out that China’s dominance in space could be curbed by implementing the plan.

Moreover, China is developing and implementing technology in the space sector five to six times faster than the US. The report also clarified that China has shown various capabilities to jam, destroy satellites and separate satellite parts in space. Besides, the report criticised that China prepared a ‘grand plan’ for the space sector decades ago, but the US has not yet been able to formulate a solid strategy to maintain its dominance. The report also blames the US for failing to develop new technologies and research in space due to administrative obstacles.

Last month, NASA chief Bill Nelson drew attention to China’s activities by saying that China would claim ownership of the moon. While the report of the ‘Office of the Director of National Intelligence’ stated that it is part of China’s plan to challenge the dominance of the US in the field of space technology and gain an edge over the US.