China’s Desire to Dominate Space at the Expense of the United States
China’s Communist Party has made it clear that its intention is to surpass the United States in space technology by 2045. A declassified report from the Director of National Intelligence stated that China is rapidly approaching its goal, and will achieve world-class status in all but a few space technology areas by 2030.
China’s orbital launches have exceeded those of the United States in recent years, and the country has demonstrated its ability to threaten American interests in space through its development of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. The United States has regained the lead in orbital launches, but complacency would be disastrous for American interests.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been a major obstacle to American efforts to compete in space, with its regulations and slow approval process hindering initiatives to launch commercial space flights. The FAA’s rules governing commercial launch and reentry, known as Part 450, have been criticized for being too restrictive and slow.
Congress has taken steps to address this issue, with the House Science Space and Technology Committee recommending reforms to the FAA’s implementation of Part 450. The committee has also recommended that the FAA return to a more efficient and productive work environment by having remote workers return to the office and reassigning job duties to focus on granting licenses.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has also been called upon to eliminate red tape and unleash American innovation in space. The DOGE, along with the new aerospace rulemaking committee SpARC, will make recommendations to Congress to secure American dominance in space and reduce the threat from China.
The author, Mike Haridopolos, a representative-elect for Florida’s 8th Congressional District, which includes the Kennedy Space Center, has made it clear that he will prioritize American dominance in space and will work to address the regulatory obstacles that have hindered American efforts to compete in this area.