Space Force Association SWT with Kristin Burke
Space Force Association’s Space Warfighter Talk with Kristin Burke, China Aerospace Studies Institute covered
Key Takeaways:
- Ms. Burke underscores the necessity of integrating both classified and unclassified data to form a comprehensive intelligence picture, asserting that reliance on just one type of information is insufficient.
- Ms. Burke focused on how China uses unclassified information strategically to showcase its achievements to both international and domestic audiences, reflecting a desire to impress and inform.
- The briefing emphasized Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) as a strategy to promote mutual benefits between the military and civilian sectors, fostering an exchange where civilian innovations enhance military capabilities and military technologies boost civilian applications.
- Ms. Burke suggests that while the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) prioritizes a strong military, its approach to the space program is more heavily tilted towards achieving economic and technological goals. This is indicative of a broader strategy where space technology not only serves military needs but is also a crucial driver of economic innovation and efficiency.
- The advancements in satellite technology, such as the use of robotic arms and space tethers, demonstrate China’s continuing development in space capabilities. These technologies, which have both civilian and military applications, are part of China’s broader strategy to enhance its presence and operational capabilities in space.
Quotes
Overclassification and Its Implications
“We hear a lot about over classification of space, and there’s this trend towards addressing that. The thing that I flagged from a China Space perspective is that declassifying the threat is probably more of a deterrent than declassifying U.S. capabilities.”
“We should capitalize on the opportunity to make sure we publicize what’s going on in space as a public service and commitment to information transparency.”
China’s Space Ambitions
“There’s a lot of information available about the China Space Program. The reason for this is because they’re really proud of their program. They want their domestic population to know what’s going on as well as the international audience.”
“It was domestic drivers that led China’s space program to take off. It was in 1982, that they announced their human spaceflight program, which was just a couple of years after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.”
Military -Civil Fusion
“Military -civil fusion supports national security and that requires a strong military and a strong economy.”
“CCP perennial struggle is balancing military and civilian goals and navigating the mixed incentives that they set up in an effort to control the economy.”
Impacts on Innovation and Competition
“China finances the space sector so that the state-owned defense contractors will feel more pressure to become more competitive.”
“The CCP wants to make sure that people are more innovative, because they have sharply decreasing working age population that needs innovation.”
Space Program’s Role in National Strategy
“If China could achieve its goals with Taiwan, without fear of US intervention, counterspace technologies would probably be less important to the PLA.”
“They have tested a robotic arm and space tether.”
“We know that the PLA is interested in nanosatellites specifically for weapons capabilities, in addition to other capabilities.”
[End]
Date
- May 02 2024
- Expired!
Time
- All Day
Local Time
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
- Date: May 02 2024
- Time: All Day
