A growing consensus among national security and aerospace experts suggests the United States must fundamentally overhaul its approach to space exploration and defense. The traditional separation between civilian agencies like NASA and military branches like the U.S. Space Force is now seen as a strategic vulnerability in a new era of geopolitical competition, primarily with China.
As China makes methodical advancements toward lunar dominance, including plans for a crewed mission by 2030, calls are intensifying for the U.S. to create seamless joint programs that leverage both commercial innovation and government resources to secure American leadership in the cislunar domain.
Key Takeaways
- Experts argue the historical division between U.S. civil and military space programs is outdated and hinders competitiveness against China.
- China's successful Chang'e 6 mission and its planned lunar research station highlight its focused, long-term strategy.
- A proposed solution involves creating joint programs between NASA, the Space Force, and other agencies to develop dual-use technologies.
- Harnessing the U.S. commercial space sector is identified as a critical advantage that requires modernized regulations and deeper partnerships.
A New Reality in Cislunar Space
The landscape of space operations has changed dramatically in the last decade. Once a domain for scientific exploration and satellite communications, the region between Earth and the Moon, known as cislunar space, is now considered a critical frontier for economic activity and national security.
China's progress in this domain has been swift and deliberate. In June 2024, its Chang’e 6 mission successfully returned nearly two kilograms of samples from the far side of the Moon, a historic first. This achievement is part of a broader strategy that includes landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030 and establishing an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in collaboration with Russia and other nations.
This steady execution contrasts with some of the challenges facing U.S. efforts. While NASA's Artemis program showcases remarkable technological ambition, it has contended with significant cost overruns, technical setbacks, and bureaucratic delays that slow its progress.
China's Lunar Ambitions by the Numbers
- 2030: Target year for a crewed lunar landing.
- 1,935 grams: Material returned from the Moon's far side by Chang'e 6.
- $19 billion: Estimated Chinese space spending in 2024, a figure that is rapidly growing.
Breaking Down Institutional Barriers
For decades, the United States maintained a clear distinction between its civil and military space activities. NASA's civilian status facilitated international scientific partnerships, while the Department of Defense focused on securing national security advantages in orbit. However, experts argue this separation is no longer practical.
In today's environment, nearly every action in space has dual implications. Scientific exploration enhances national prestige and technological leadership, which are components of national power. Conversely, military strength in space protects the commercial and civil assets that operate there.
What is Dual-Use Technology?
Dual-use refers to technology that can be used for both peaceful and military purposes. In space, this applies to nearly everything, including:
- Propulsion systems: Can be used for scientific probes or for military satellites needing rapid maneuverability.
- Sensors: Can map lunar resources or detect hostile spacecraft.
- Communication networks: Can relay data from Mars rovers or provide secure links for military operations.
The call is not for NASA to become a military arm, but for a more integrated strategy. Proponents envision a future where leaders from NASA, the Space Force, DARPA, and the National Reconnaissance Office collaborate on joint pilot projects. This approach would accelerate development in areas of mutual interest, from advanced propulsion to space-based manufacturing.
"Wherever we have these noble national prestige goals, we’re going to see competition among the great powers. With that competition comes the possibility of conflict," notes Kurt Vogel, a former NASA associate administrator and Department of Defense official.
Harnessing America's Commercial Edge
The United States' most significant advantage remains its dynamic and innovative commercial space industry. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Intuitive Machines are developing capabilities at a pace that government-led programs often cannot match. The challenge lies in effectively integrating this commercial power into a coherent national strategy.
Analysts recommend a three-pronged approach to bolster this public-private ecosystem:
- Forge Deeper Partnerships: The government should move beyond a simple client-vendor relationship. By treating commercial firms as strategic partners, sharing both risks and rewards, agencies can empower them to execute entire missions and drive innovation without prescriptive oversight.
- Invest in Dual-Use Technologies: Federal investment should be strategically directed toward technologies that serve both civil and defense needs. This maximizes the return on taxpayer dollars and ensures that advancements in one sector benefit the other.
- Modernize Outdated Regulations: Current regulatory frameworks for launch licensing and export controls were designed for a bygone era of infrequent, state-run missions. With hundreds of commercial launches happening annually, these rules have become a bottleneck. Legislative action, such as the proposed LAUNCH Act, is seen as essential to remove these barriers.
By streamlining these processes, the U.S. can unleash the full potential of its commercial sector, ensuring it can compete effectively on the global stage.
The Strategic Imperative: Presence and Rules
The ultimate goal is not just to visit space, but to establish a sustained presence and help shape the rules for future activities. This means positioning assets and infrastructure in strategically vital locations, such as the Earth-Moon Lagrange points and resource-rich areas near the lunar south pole.
This task will require a U.S. Space Force that is fully equipped for contested operations in the cislunar environment. This includes capabilities for rapid maneuvering, comprehensive space domain awareness, and the ability to respond to threats from state and non-state actors.
The stakes extend beyond national pride. Securing leadership in space is about ensuring the domain remains open for free nations to operate, innovate, and prosper. It is also about leveraging space-based technologies to solve pressing problems on Earth, from climate monitoring to global communications.
While the U.S. still outspends China in space, Beijing's focused, long-term planning, insulated from political shifts, is allowing it to close the gap quickly. The consensus is that the window for the U.S. to act decisively is closing. By breaking down internal barriers and fully embracing its commercial partners, the nation can secure its interests for the century ahead.