While pundits and bandits line their pockets encouraging endless beltway debate on Space Force policy and its impact in 2050, China continues to hammer away at a blistering pace, surging into Earth orbit and working to colonize the moon. Just yesterday, it proudly announced the successful return of moon dirt (called regolith) into a return capsule. Simultaneously, China has not only cemented its very open alignment with Russia, Space Force leaders are now highlighting their concern over its collusion with Iran and North Korea in opposing the spread of western liberal democratic ideals.

It’s past time the U.S. space community, both industry and government, fully realizes that victory in this century’s Great Power Competition is depending on them more than any other sector, and we are falling behind quickly. Even the lumbering Government Accountability Office has come out screaming about it in its latest report. If we lose, not only will our ability to deter and win wars be lost for decades, but so will our economic might, which is so dependent on it.

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