Due to Increased Threats, US Must be Ready to Exert 'Space Control'

Citing “increasing threats” against America’s satellites, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said here today that the US military “must be able to respond in an integrated, coordinated fashion” to attacks on US space assets and he used the charged term of “space control” in making his argument.

“While we rely heavily on space capabilities, in both peace and war, we must continue to emphasize space control as challenges arise,” he told an audience at a classified session here. “To maintain our military dominance we must consider all space assets, both classified and unclassified, as part of a single constellation. And if an adversary tries to deny us the capability, we must be able to respond in an integrated, coordinated fashion.”

Work’s spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson, provided a summary of his remarks, which were made during a classified session at the Space Symposium here.

In a clear message aimed at America’s competitors in space — principally China and Russia — Work said the US military “will maintain space capabilities, through all phases of conflict, regardless of actions to deny us the ultimate high ground.”

Breaking D readers will remember that China tested an anti-satellite system last July, a test that Lt. Gen. Jay Raymond of the 14th Air Force said yesterday was “successful.” The very clear but quiet ramp up in language about offensive space capabilities, space control and other active measures has become clear since that test.

Work’s comments at the the premier space event of the year sparked concern among space warfare experts

“His remarks seem to be part of a concerted effort by the national security establishment to prime the pump so to speak for a more active counter space program for the United States,” Victoria Sampson, a top space analyst at the Secure World Foundation said in an email. “What I find interesting is the connection between classified and unclassified space programs. It seems to be elevating the unclassified programs to a point where the United States would have to treat them the same as if an attack was on a classified satellite. That would imply that things can escalate pretty quickly should we come into a time of hostility. It also means there is more room for misunderstanding, misinterpretation, or mistrust.”

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