China’s state media touts targeting of U.S. mega-constellations

China’s state media touts targeting of U.S. mega-constellations

FPI / January 16, 2025 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher A deadly space competition between China and the United States was demonstrated by a Jan.12 article in the unofficial Chinese state media South China Morning Post (SCMP) on how Chinese engineers are developing the means to target U.S. satellite mega-constellations. The SCMP article was likely coercive […]

China launches combat-ready SJ-25 interceptor-refueling satellite

China launches combat-ready SJ-25 interceptor-refueling satellite

FPI / January 10, 2025 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher For its first satellite launch for 2025, China decided to demonstrate the dual-use nature of its space program, by launching its Shi Jian (Experimental)-25 satellite, ostensibly to test satellite refueling, but which can also perfect satellite interception, capture and destruction skills for the new Aerospace Force […]

‘Near Space’ edge: China on track to dominate military conflicts on earth

‘Near Space’ edge: China on track to dominate military conflicts on earth

FPI / January 3, 2025 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher In Dec. 2024 China has revealed that it is making advances that could enable its domination of “Near Space,” which could go far to ensure that China can dominate military conflicts on Earth. Like the United States, China has long viewed the region known as “Near […]

Trump picks space entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA

Trump picks space entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA

FPI / December 20, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Though not a Cabinet position, the leader of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a political prominence greater than most Cabinet members, as this person is responsible for American leadership into the “final frontier,” with competency requirements that straddle the realms of engineering, […]

NASA delays Artemis 3 Moon mission to 2027, ceding momentum to China

NASA delays Artemis 3 Moon mission to 2027, ceding momentum to China

FPI / December 13, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Once again, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has delayed the Artemis-III return-to-the-Moon-mission, this time to mid-2027, again ceding momentum to China, which could begin occupying the Moon as early as 2029. This latest delay was announced by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a Dec. […]

China’s 60 orbital launches seen increasing with reusable launchers in 2025

China’s 60 orbital launches seen increasing with reusable launchers in 2025

FPI / December 6, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher On Dec. 3 China launched its 60th space mission for 2024; But with one month to go China may not reach its goal of 100 orbital launches but may surpass its record of 67 launches for 2023. However, annual launch rates may soon well surpass 100 […]

High strategy: NASA-China Moon race quickens

High strategy: NASA-China Moon race quickens

FPI / November 29, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Both the United States and China have issued recent markers demonstrating progress in their respective programs to put people on the Moon, affirming an accelerating race to occupy the Moon for strategic and economic gain. In a Nov. 19 press release, the U.S. National Aeronautics and […]

China showcases X-band radar, pointing to its own missile, space defense

China showcases X-band radar, pointing to its own missile, space defense

FPI / November 22, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Number 8 in “President Trump’s 20 Core Promises” states: “Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country — all made in America.” However, the revelation of a new […]

China reveals 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’ at Zhuhai Airshow

China reveals 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’ at Zhuhai Airshow

FPI / November 15, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Look out SpaceX, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China’s leading state-owned rocket and space company, plans to start testing by 2030 a reusable first-stage version of its 10.6-meter diameter Long March-9 superheavy space launch vehicle (SLV), which is about the same size as […]

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

FPI / November 8, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher If they are still around, some aging engineers from France’s former Aerospatiale space company and the Dassault aircraft company should be proud: Their innovative Hermes small space plane program that was cancelled in 1992, could soon fly, but as a reusable Chinese space cargo transport. During […]