China's Space and Counterspace Programs

Today's hearing will examine the capabilities, scope and objectives of China's civilian and military space programs. It will also explore the research and development efforts behind these programs and the factors that have contributed to China's recent space technology advances. Finally, it will look at the economic and security implications of China's space and counterspace programs for the United States. Over the last decade, China has rapidly scaled up and improved its civilian and military space platforms, including satellites, ground infrastructure and rockets. These inherently dual-use platforms help China achieve economic and scientific missions, while supporting expanded PLA operations and military modernization goals. Although China is mostly playing catch-up to the United States in space capabilities, China poses a number of challenges to U.S. activities in space. First and foremost is China's development of new counterspace technologies that could disable or destroy U.S. satellites and their support architecture.