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Tag: US Space Force

  • US Space Force Wants Help Combatting Space Junk

    US Space Force Wants Help Combatting Space Junk

    It may not be battling aliens, but the US Space Force still wants help combating a major enemy: space junk.

    Space junk has become a growing problem over the last few decades. According to Space Force, the newest branch of the US military is tracking some 40,000 objects in orbit around Earth, only 5,000 of which are active satellites. Those 40,000 objects are fist-sized or larger, but it’s estimated there are at least 10 times as many smaller objects. All of these objects pose a major risk to space operations.

    Space Force’s new endeavor, Orbital Prime, is designed to address this problem, according to General David D. Thompson, Vice Chief of Space Operations.

    “Our goal through Orbital Prime is to partner with innovative minds in industry, academia, and research institutions, to advance and apply state of the art technology and operating concepts in the areas of debris mitigation and removal,” said General Thompson.

    Those interested in participating in Orbital Prime can register here to learn more.

  • China Becoming a ‘Tremendous Threat’ in Space

    China Becoming a ‘Tremendous Threat’ in Space

    The US Space Force is calling out China as a “tremendous threat” in space, saying the country is advancing rapidly.

    US Space Force became the sixth branch of the US military in late 2019, tasked with protecting US interests in space. US Space Force vice chief of space operations, Gen. David Thompson, said the US is still the leader in space, but China is rapidly catching up.

    “China is a tremendous threat…I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion they will be the leader in space at the end of the decade, but they’re on an incredible pace,” Gen. Thompson told Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday.

    “We are still the best in the world in space. Our capabilities are the best in the world of space, but they’re moving aggressively, they’re moving quickly and we need to adapt our approach.”

    The US and China are already competing on multiple fronts, and have engaged in a years-long, costly trade war. It appears space is set to be the next battleground of their rivalry.