Adversarial nations now see outer space as a legitimate military theater from which to attack America’s military and economic interests, according to national security experts and members of Congress who favor strong countermeasures, including a missile defense system.
The functional difference between space-based military operations and missile defense technology is rapidly disappearing, Unless the U.S. works aggressively to fully exploit its technological edge in outer space, nations with hostile intentions will move to neutralize America’s advantage.
“If we don’t step up, we not only endanger ourselves, we really step back as the world’s leader. This is especially important in light of the other advances other nations are making, without any of the reticence our liberal friends in Congress have.”The potential vulnerability of U.S. systems to attack was made evident last year when China used a ground-based medium-range missile to knock down a weather satellite orbiting some 537 miles above the Earth. U.S. strategic planners also need to anticipate less overt actions. Seemingly benign broadcast satellites, for example, could be used to jam U.S. systems in time of conflict.. [snip]
To date, opposition from “arms-control advocates” and congressional Democrats has constrained the development of space-based defenses...
[we'll be voting on a lot this November]
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