The Impact of China’s Rise in Space

Abstract

There is little doubt that the rise of China as a space faring nation will have a significant impact on other states operating in space. Any new or nascent space programme will create challenges. However, the rapid advance of its programme, and the questions that were raised more broadly as a result of its 2007 Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test regarding space debris and space security, highlight those potential challenges very particularly. China’s rapidly accelerating space programme also challenges the status quo in space, and that will be felt most keenly by the most established space power, the United States (U.S.).