OPINION:
Over the past decade, space has become the most complex warfighting domain. As Russia and China seek to weaponize it, a strong U.S. presence in space is crucial in maintaining our edge over global competitors. This is especially true in light of the disturbing reports released this past February that Russia is developing a space-based nuclear weapon designed to destroy U.S. satellites.
Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was prescient when he designated the ready date for this weapon as “day zero” — the date when U.S. of space will become infeasible. This warning underscores the need for the U.S. to pursue innovative solutions to deter our adversaries in space, and soon.
Thankfully, the incoming administration is set to make U.S. dominance in space a mission-critical objective in the interest of national security. Most importantly, President-elect Donald Trump knows this will involve cutting red tape, fostering innovation and prioritizing investments in space technologies to prevent “day zero.”
Throughout Mr. Trump’s first term in office, the U.S. took bold steps to lead in the rapidly evolving domain of space. Prioritizing national security and American exceptionalism, embodied by our values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law and the free market, the Trump administration acted decisively to confront emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.
Mr. Trump’s most consequential action was the creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019, a direct response to growing threats from adversaries in space. This move signaled U.S. recognition of the strategic importance of space as a warfighting domain.
By leveraging America’s innate economic advantages, the Trump administration championed the commercialization of space, facilitating greater collaboration between NASA, the Department of Defense and private industry. Mr. Trump also reinstated the National Space Council after decades of dormancy as a means to safeguard GPS navigation systems and accelerate space ventures such as the Artemis program’s lunar exploration missions.
Under the Biden administration, however, our momentum toward achieving space dominance has been thwarted, weakening America’s competitive edge and security posture. In the race to secure American leadership in space, the Biden administration’s National Space Council has faltered — through delays, missed critical opportunities and a lack of clear direction necessary to navigate the final frontier of exploration and innovation.
Upon taking office, the Biden administration delayed the reactivation of the Space Council by two months, and it was nearly a year before the council held its first meeting. It then took two years to appoint members to the council’s User Advisory Group. The administration convened the council a paltry three times. Above all, Vice President Kamala Harris’ appointment as council chair reflected the administration’s characteristic approach to governance — the prioritization of optics over sound policy and direction.
The Biden-era Space Council has failed to address pressing issues such as a resolution to the jurisdictional conflicts between the National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Space Force, nor has it established a clear mission authorization process for commercial space ventures. By contrast, the Trump administration delivered decisive and strategic leadership, issuing seven space policy directives that laid a solid foundation for American preeminence in space. Meanwhile, under the Biden administration, no such policy directive has been issued.
Self-inflicted regulatory challenges have been a significant factor in stifling progress for nearly four years under President Biden and Ms. Harris. For instance, spectrum management issues have created significant hurdles for satellite operators, limiting bandwidth and impeding the efficient deployment of critical space communications infrastructure. The regulation of spectrum use, which is essential for satellite communication, falls primarily under the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The Federal Aviation Administration has slowed down the approval process for commercial space launches, delaying key missions and hindering the growth of the private space sector. This means private corporations have experienced delays attributed to FAA launch license requirements, further slowing the pace of its Starship program. Unnecessarily restrictive partnership policies have limited collaboration with international allies and private companies.
This perfect storm of regulatory burdens has compounded the challenges facing America’s space ambitions. As a result, adversaries have caught more than a few marches on the U.S. under Mr. Biden’s self-defeating regulatory agenda.
With a renewed commitment to space, the incoming Trump administration can champion a vision of peace through strength, using the domain as a platform for strategic dominance and further economic opportunities. Echoing the dawn of the space race during the Cold War, we are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history and we must seize the moment.
The United States has historically been the beacon of freedom, innovation and strength across the globe. We must ensure that remains true in space, for the consequences of failure in this domain are dire. We must do everything possible to prevent “day zero.”
• Pat Fallon represents Texas’ 4th Congressional District. An Air Force veteran, he is a member of the House Armed Services and Oversight committees.
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