Agence France-Presse, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Oct. 17 said a Chinese anti-satellite test earlier this year exposed U.S. vulnerabilities in space, and he called on the military to protect “unfettered” U.S. access to space.
Gates referred to the Chinese anti-satellite test at a change-of-command ceremony at the U.S. Strategic Command, which is responsible for U.S. nuclear forces, missile defense and military operations in space and cyberspace.
“The importance of maintaining unfettered access to space was reinforced earlier this year, when China successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon,” Gates said.
“This test and other developments show our own near Earth satellites are vulnerable and need to be protected,” he said.
On Jan. 11, China launched a ballistic missile that destroyed one of its own weather satellites in low Earth orbit in a surprise test that sent political shock waves around the world.
Gates emphasized U.S. reliance on space and tied it to efforts to prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of extremists — “arguably the greatest threat facing our nation today.”
“It is through space we monitor the weapons we already know exist,” he said. “It is through space we can track adversaries attempting to acquire these weapons, and then do something about it.
“It is through space that our troops and our leadership monitor the battlefield and communicate with each other. Therefore, it is space we must protect, especially as we expand its use.”
Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, a former astronaut, assumed command of the U.S. Strategic Command at the Oct. 17 ceremony.
He succeeded Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, who is now vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
