The report says China's commercial space sector has expanded rapidly with strong government backing, making it the US's most significant competitor in the space industry.
According to the ITIF, with the global space economy expected to exceed 1 trillion USD over the next decade, China has already surpassed the US in several areas, including satellite navigation systems, space-based reconnaissance, and anti-satellite capabilities.
The report's author, Ellis Scherer, said China's space industry has evolved from a state-owned enterprise model into a dynamic commercial ecosystem that now ranks second only to the US. The report noted that much of today's space technology is dual-use, with applications in both the civilian and military sector.
The ITIF urged the US to expand its domestic launch capacity, accelerate efforts to develop commercial successors to the International Space Station, and strengthen cooperation with its allies if it wants to preserve its technological advantage.
