Pew Pew: The Space Force Wants Space Lasers

Space Technology and Policy

Good morning,

Earlier this week, General Chance Saltzman, the Chief of Space Operations, discussed his concept of space superiority. Gen Saltzman highlighted the need for “employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities through disruption, degradation, and even destruction, if necessary,” Saltzman said. “It includes things like orbital warfare and electromagnetic warfare, and its counterspace operations can be employed for both offensive and defensive purposes at the direction of combatant commands.”

Now these weapons may seem extreme, but the reality is that for the Space Force to be able to protect our assets in space (including critical Nuclear Command, Control, & Communication infrastructure) and to ensure peaceful access to space, the United States must be prepared to fight in the space domain.

Gen Saltzman’s vice chairman, Gen Michael Guetlein this week highlighted Chinese space drills from last year that included five satellites practicing rendezvous-and-…