# China's Space Race > China's reusable rockets threaten U.S. space dominance with military and commercial applications. - Title: China's Space Race · Foreign Affairs | Shortify - Summary: China's reusable rockets threaten U.S. space dominance with military and commercial applications. China's reusable rocket technology and military satellite… - Keywords: china, reusable rockets, space industry, plag, satellite internet, starlink, space race, military satellites, space security, space force, world, politics - Source: Foreign Affairs — https://foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas-next-frontier - Author: Kathleen Curlee - Published: 2026-10-14T08:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: china, reusable rockets, space industry, plag, satellite internet, starlink, space race, military satellites, space security, space force, world, politics ## China's Rocket Recovery Milestone LandSpace successfully recovered a rocket booster on land in August 2026, marking the first time a Chinese firm achieved this feat. > the first time a chinese firm recovered a rocket on land ## China's Space Industry Growth Chinese rocket launches increased from 39 to 92 annually between 2020 and 2025, with hundreds of thousands of satellite licenses applied for. > between 2020 and 2025, the number of rockets launched annually by chinese companies more than doubled, from 39 to 92 ## Military Space Capabilities The People's Liberation Army is developing space weapons to attack satellites, posing risks to u.s. military communications and navigation. > the people's liberation army sees space superiority as essential to winning future wars ## Satellite Internet Competition Chinese companies plan to launch nearly 30,000 communications satellites to compete with SpaceX's Starlink network of over 11,000 satellites. > the entities operating the guowang and qianfan satellite constellations plan to launch nearly 30,000 communications satellites over the next decade ## Military Satellite Threats China operates more than 500 satellites for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, targeting u.s. military assets in the kill chain. > according to the pentagon, china operates more than 500 satellites that can conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions ## Antisatellite Weapons China has developed antisatellite missiles and electronic warfare tools to disrupt satellite signals without destroying them. > since 2007, when it conducted its first successful test of an antisatellite missile, china has developed other tools, including electronic warfare and directed-energy weapons ## Ukraine Satellite Support Chinese firms provided satellite imagery to russian forces during the 2022 invasion of ukraine, aiding military operations. > during russia's full-scale invasion of ukraine in 2022, chinese firms provided satellite imagery of the battlefield that helped russian forces conduct military operations ## U.S. Space Vulnerabilities U.S. military relies on satellites for communications, navigation, and targeting, but china's capabilities threaten this dependence. > the u.s. military depends on space for communications, situational awareness, and navigation ## U.S. Response Strategies The U.S. Space Force is diversifying satellite placements and developing alternatives like inertial navigation systems and quantum sensors. > the u.s. space force has diversified the placement of some of its most sensitive assets and increased procurement of new satellites ## Space Launch Competition SpaceX's near monopoly on launches creates risks for u.s. space operations, with plans to retire the Falcon 9 rocket by 2026. > this year, space x announced plans to retire the falcon nine, its main reusable rocket ## Military-Commercial Synergy China's space industry integrates commercial and military applications, reducing dependence on u.s. satellite systems like gps. > china has since created spacecraft for communications; navigation; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that would have been unimaginable to pla officials who observed desert storm ## Allied Space Cooperation NATO's HALO initiative connects sovereign military satellites to streamline communications and missile tracking across allies. > in july, eight u.s. allies launched the halo initiative, which aims to connect sovereign military satellites into a network ## China's Strategic Focus Beijing has consistently pursued space objectives since the early 1990s, adapting programs as technology evolves without losing sight of its end goal. > beijing has pursued its space objectives consistently since the early 1 990s, revising programs as technology evolves without losing sight of its end goal ## U.S. Space Strategy The U.S. must maintain a competitive launch industry and invest in emerging space technologies to counter china's advancements. > the united states should continue awarding government contracts to more companies to foster a more competitive domestic launch industry ## The New Space Race China's space rise necessitates u.s. strategic adaptation to maintain dominance in the evolving multipolar space landscape. > staying ahead in the new space race will require both investing in space architecture and establishing backup plans to offset the dangers of the emerging multipolar space age ## Key takeaway China's reusable rocket technology and military satellite capabilities challenge U.S. space dominance, requiring strategic adaptation.