# The Outlook of Orbital Warfare: How the US Space Force Intends to Compete in Space
## Introduction
As space transforms into a more contested arena, the United States Space Force (USSF) is aiming to safeguard American interests beyond the planet’s atmosphere. With China and Russia enhancing their military capabilities in space, US military officials contend that the Space Force needs to devise both offensive and defensive strategies to uphold “space superiority.”
During the recent Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, General Chance Saltzman, the Chief of Space Operations for the Space Force, stressed the importance of a stronger arsenal to address potential threats. This article examines the changing scenario of orbital warfare, the categories of space weapons being developed, and the obstacles the US confronts in preserving its supremacy in space.
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## The Idea of Space Superiority
For many years, the US military has secured air superiority in various global conflicts. Now, military officials are extending this principle to space. Space superiority entails commanding the space environment by utilizing both **kinetic** and **non-kinetic** approaches to obstruct, diminish, or eliminate enemy capabilities.
– **Kinetic weapons**: These entail physical destruction, such as missiles or projectiles aimed at opposing satellites.
– **Non-kinetic weapons**: These consist of cyber operations, jamming, and directed-energy weapons (like lasers or microwave signals) that can incapacitate enemy satellites without generating debris.
Saltzman noted that the US must be ready to **actively protect its space assets** and, when necessary, **launch offensive actions** to counter threats.
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## The Rising Threat from China and Russia
China and Russia are swiftly advancing their space-based military capabilities that could jeopardize US satellites utilized for intelligence, communication, navigation, and missile defense.
– **China’s space assets**: China manages over **1,000 satellites**, many devoted to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. These satellites assist China in monitoring US military movements and enhancing targeting for missile strikes.
– **Russia’s space capabilities**: Russia has evaluated satellites capable of **launching projectiles** at other space vehicles and is believed to be developing **nuclear arms for space use**—a step that would contravene international accords.
Saltzman cautioned that both countries are pursuing a **wide array of space weaponry**, comprising **directed-energy weapons, electronic warfare capabilities, and kinetic anti-satellite missiles**.
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## The Six Categories of Space Weapons
The Space Force classifies space weaponry into six categories—three operating in space and three on the ground:
1. **Directed-energy weapons** (lasers)
2. **Radio frequency jamming** (electronic warfare)
3. **Kinetic weapons** (missiles or projectiles)
Each of these can be employed either **on the ground** or **in space**, resulting in six distinct categories of space-related threats.
Although China and Russia are developing all six types, the US has primarily concentrated on **ground-based jamming, directed-energy systems, and kinetic interceptors**. Nevertheless, Saltzman hinted that the US may need to broaden its arsenal to incorporate **space-based weapons** to match its rivals.
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## The Shift Towards a More Robust Space Architecture
A crucial strategy for countering space-based threats is **resilience**. Rather than depending on a few large, costly satellites, the US military is transitioning to **distributed satellite constellations** that are more challenging to target.
– The **Space Development Agency** is deploying **small, low-cost missile-tracking satellites** in low-Earth orbit.
– The Pentagon is investigating the use of **commercial satellite networks**, such as **SpaceX’s Starlink**, for supplementary communication capabilities.
– The Space Force is evaluating **new positioning and navigation satellites** to enhance or replace GPS.
By **distributing essential functions across numerous satellites**, the US can complicate adversaries’ attempts to incapacitate its space-based framework.
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## The Financial Aspects of Space Warfare
Creating and implementing space weaponry will necessitate considerable investment.
– In **2024**, Congress authorized a **$29 billion budget** for the Space Force—surpassing NASA’s budget but constituting only **3.5% of the Pentagon’s total budget**.
– Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has indicated that the Space Force’s budget **may require doubling or tripling** in upcoming years to address escalating threats.
In addition to financial implications, there are also **environmental concerns**. Using kinetic weapons to destroy satellites generates **space debris**, which poses risks to both military and civilian space endeavors.
Saltzman stressed that the US should focus on **non-destructive approaches**—like jamming and cyber operations—whenever feasible. However, he admitted that **kinetic destruction might be essential in certain circumstances**.
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