China and Russia are expanding their anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities to advance their weapons systems for outer space. Recently, Russia launched a missile that destroyed one of its defunct satellites.
- Chris Stone, senior fellow for space studies in the Spacepower Advantage Research Center at the Mitchell Institute, said the Defense Department should do more to build up its capabilities to strengthen deterrence against these weapons and that Congress can help by increasing the Space Force’s budget.
- Russia’s missile test was the first successful demonstration of this capability in a long time, said Stone.
- The Pentagon issued a response about the need for space norms of behavior, but Stone said it would have been stronger to emphasize plans to develop systems that can deter or defeat ASAT capabilities.
