U.S. military seeks commercial space technology for strategic edge

Published on December 20, 2024

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense is stepping up efforts to partner with emerging commercial space startups, viewing their dual-use technologies as crucial for maintaining military advantages, senior officials said Dec. 18.

The push comes as China makes significant investments in its own commercial space sector, prompting concerns about technological competition between the world’s two largest economies.

“The commercial space market is very nascent,” said Maj. Gen. Steven Butow, director of the Defense Innovation Unit’s space portfolio, during a SpaceNews webinar. “So you need a lot of investment.”

Butow emphasized the importance of economic rather than just military competition with China, which he said is investing heavily in its commercial space sector for both economic returns and military capabilities.

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