This week, the Biden administration announced that it would be banning anti-satellite missile tests. Vice President Kamala Harris (D) made the announcement at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, expressing “that the United States commits not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, and that the United States seeks to establish this as a new international norm for responsible behavior in space.”
In response, Florida Rep Michael Waltz (R), a vocal critic of the Biden administration, criticized the announcement, saying that the current administration’s decision will “diminish our space capabilities.”
In Vice President Harris’ announcement, she cited that “The People’s Republic of China conducted a similar test in 2007,” and Russia followed suit in 2021. However, the United States does not want to conduct similar tests because “the destruction of space objects through direct-ascent ASAT missile testing is reckless and irresponsible.”
Although the administration vowed to not “jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of space by all nations,” Waltz argues that the administration is being counterproductive.
“The Biden Administration has yet again demonstrated their national security priorities not founded in the reality of threats facing our country,” said Waltz, adding that “while the Chinese Communist Party launches more into space than the rest of the world combined, the Biden Administration has opted to diminish our space capabilities by banning anti-satellite missile tests.”
He concluded by affirming that “we deter future conflicts by showing the capabilities to confront and defeat our enemies, not by hoping the CCP and Russia will cease military tests after the United States does.” Instead, Waltz argues that “the Biden Administration should understand this decision only handicaps the United States and reverse course immediately.”
As Vice President Harris assured in her call, "Conflict or confrontation in outer space is not inevitable, and the United States seeks to ensure outer space remains free from conflict."
