SpaceWar.com reports: “In a move to address vulnerabilities in America’s space infrastructure, U.S. Senator Angus King (Ind. ME) has emphasized the urgency of bolstering defenses against potential threats to the nation’s extensive satellite fleet. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator King engaged with General Stephen Whiting, the Commander of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), on the critical issue of safeguarding American space assets from emerging threats, particularly highlighting the advancements in Russia’s nuclear anti-satellite capabilities.
Senator King’s inquiries underscored a growing concern within the U.S. government and military regarding the asymmetric vulnerabilities posed by the nation’s dependence on space technologies. These technologies, integral to everyday operations such as GPS navigation in smartphones worldwide, represent a double-edged sword; while they afford the U.S. unparalleled capabilities, they also expose critical infrastructures to potential adversary actions.
‘We have the best space capability and have for many, many years. That’s the good news. The bad news is the dependency that we have on space, which makes us asymmetrically vulnerable in terms of the relationship with these potential adversaries,’ Senator King stated, urging USSPACECOM to explore alternative strategies to mitigate these risks. The senator’s call for a renewed focus on traditional navigation methods, such as celestial navigation, highlights a strategic pivot towards reducing reliance on space-based assets…”
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