Overview

• China's military has developed advanced counterspace weapons, including ground-based lasers, satellite 'dogfighting' capabilities, and a network of tracking satellites dubbed a 'kill web.'
• Testimony from Gen. Chance Saltzman highlights China's significant investment in six categories of counterspace weapons, spanning both ground-based and space-based systems.
• China's deployment of quantum satellites and reusable launch vehicles signals a narrowing technological gap with the U.S., raising concerns over future space dominance.
• The U.S. Space Force faces critical funding shortfalls, with Gen. Saltzman stating more missions remain unfunded than funded as space becomes a contested military domain.
• To mitigate risks of debris fields, the Space Force is prioritizing non-kinetic measures like jamming, but officials stress the urgent need for broader investments to counter China's advancements.