China has been identified as America’s top threat in space, rapidly enhancing its military space capabilities. This information was disclosed by Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, the commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space, during a press briefing at the annual Air & Space Forces Association conference held in National Harbor, Maryland, on Wednesday.

Schiess stated that China is developing new capabilities “at an incredible pace,” with advancements occurring at least on a monthly basis. He emphasized that these developments put U.S. assets at risk, labeling China as the “biggest threat.” Further, he highlighted China’s efforts to establish a “kill chain,” an attack process targeting U.S. maritime, land, and air forces from greater distances than previously observed.

He explained that China’s use of space technology enhances their capability to strike from those increased distances, while simultaneously adding counter-space abilities that pose risks to U.S. assets. Space Force intelligence suggests that the Chinese military perceives counter-space operations as essential for deterring U.S. military intervention in regional conflicts.

Bradley Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, echoed these concerns, stating that China’s space operations are among its most alarming military endeavors. He described space as the “ultimate high ground,” crucial for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and targeting capabilities.

Bowman noted that if adversaries can surpass U.S. space capabilities, it would compromise early warnings about threats and complicate combat engagements, potentially leading to the loss of battles or wars.

To counter this growing threat, Schiess affirmed that the U.S. military needs to deploy more satellites, particularly ISR satellites, to safeguard its forces. According to the latest space threat fact sheet from Space Force intelligence, by July 2025, China possessed over 1,189 satellites in orbit, reflecting a staggering 927% increase since late 2015. More than 500 of these satellites are ISR-capable, equipped with optical, multispectral, radar, and radio frequency sensors, thereby enhancing China’s ability to detect U.S. aircraft carriers, expeditionary forces, and air wings.