US Faces 'Sputnik Moment' Of Challenge For Command Of Space - Joint Chiefs Chairman
Daniyal Sohail Published September 10, 2019 | 01:10 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th September, 2019) The United States now face another "Sputnik moment" of recognizing it cannot take leadership in space for granted, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Joseph Dunford said in a speech acknowledging the relaunch of US Space Command on Monday.
"In my view, it's not an overstatement to say that we are at another Sputnik moment and you could argue that the stakes are much higher than they were in the late 1950 and early 1960s," Dunford said in his speech at Petersen Air Force Base in the US state of Colorado.
In 1957, the Soviet Union's successful launch of Sputnik I, the first ever manmade artificial earth satellite, shocked the American public into recognizing that the Soviet Union had several years lead in space capabilities both scientific and military.
The competitive advantage that the United States enjoyed after the Cold War had eroded, Dunford cautioned.
"That dynamic has been particularly evident in space .
.. The Russians and the Chinese have seen how we have leveraged [US assets] in space. They have developed jamming, cyber space, directed energy weapons [and] anti-satellite weapons ...We can no longer take our access to space for granted," he said.
US President Donald Trump is pressing for the Department of Defense to create a new unified and independent Space Force. Space Command or SPACECOM is not that force but integrates existing space fighting units and capabilities under its direction form the existing US armed forces.
"We perform our mission in a very complex and volatile security environment ... Space is a contested domain ... This is about taking it to the next level," Dunford said.
President Ronald Reagan first set up a US Space Command in 1985 during his so-called "Star Wars" or Strategic Defense Initiative, but it was ended and integrated into US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) in 2002.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From Technology
-
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
2 days ago -
Pro Tips: How to Capture Stunning Portraits with the Aura Light Portrait of vivo V30 5G
4 days ago -
Itel celebrates launch of S24—a new brand identity
4 days ago -
Realme C53 Price Slash: High-Tech Meets High Style at New Low Price!
6 days ago -
Take Charge, Live Free: Empower Your Life with Infinix NOTE 40 Series
8 days ago -
PTA Undertakes Consultation with All Pakistan Network Association (APNA) on Proposed Class Value Add ..
8 days ago
-
Vivo V30 5G: The Perfect Blend of Enhanced Photography and Premium Design
9 days ago -
PITB's Regional Plan 9 invites applications for its newly launched incubation centers in Rawalpindi, ..
10 days ago -
Pakistan calls for enhanced information integrity on digital platforms
10 days ago -
Infinix NOTE 40 Series vs. the Competition: Why It Stands Out
11 days ago -
"Unlock Exceptional Value: The New realme Note 50 with Extended Warranty Now Available in Pakistan!� ..
11 days ago -
Google unveils new AI chips, arm-based processor for data centers
16 days ago