US space chief warns China, Russia are greatest risks to space defense capabilities
'The PRC [People's Republic of China] has developed what we've kind of, you know, tongue in cheek, called a 'kill web,' and it's nothing more than a series of hundreds of satellites that are a sensor network that provide real-time updates, targeting quality information of our force,' Saltzman said at Politico's Security Summit on Thursday.
This 'kill web' presents new risks to U.S. forces due to its precise targeting, which can infiltrate forces in range before they can begin to meet military objectives, Saltzman said.
'This is a huge problem. And the Indo-Pacific is where we see this most acutely,' Saltzman said, adding, 'That's why we have to build our capabilities to try to disrupt that so that when we're trying to achieve military objectives, our soldiers, sailors and airmen are safe and not under this umbrella of a very accurate, very long range set of weapons.'
China's space program has significantly increased in recent years and hopes to put astronauts on the moon before 2030. China was excluded from the International Space amid national security concerns, prompting the Asia nation to build its own space station.
Saltzman warned the PRC has shown an 'accelerated ability' to launch payloads like spacecraft or satellites into orbit.
The U.S. space chief then laid out three areas of concern he has over Russia's capabilities.
Months ahead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russia demonstrated a 'kinetic kill capability,' which is an anti-satellite missile to destroy a satellite. This invasion, Saltzman said, involved a cyberattack against global communications company Viasat in the ground network.
'We have to remember space capabilities can be negated using ground techniques…cyber techniques,' he said. 'So we have to defend our assets in not just the orbit, but the ground as well.'
Saltzman's third concern related to Russia's jamming efforts and its aim to put a nuclear weapon on orbit.
'The Russians are demonstrating reckless aggressive behaviors with regards to how they intend to contest the space domain that will have far-reaching impacts beyond any localized military effect,' Saltzman said.
It comes as Russia and China pursue a joint initiative to establish an international lunar research station.
The Associated Press contributed.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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