WHILE THE VULNERABILITIES of U.S. national security space systems are often discussed publicly, the progress other nations are making in developing counterspace weapon systems is not as readily accessible. The purpose of this report is to review the open-source information available on the counterspace threats U.S. space systems. It is intended to raise awareness and understanding of the threats, debunk myths and misinformation, and highlight areas in which senior leaders and policymakers should focus their attention.
The report focuses on four specific countries that pose the greatest risk for the United States: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. A fifth section analyzes the counterspace capabilities of select other countries, including some allies and partners of the United States and some non-state actors.
Be on the lookout for upcoming events and products from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project, including a Brewery Reception in Colorado Springs on April 10 and the debut of a new CSIS documentary on the creation of a U.S. Space Force on April 11. More information about the Aerospace Security Project can be found at aerospace.csis.org.
