Building an Enduring Advantage in the Third Space Age

The report "Building an Enduring Advantage in the Third Space Age" explores the United States' current leadership and future strategies in the rapidly evolving space sector. The third space age, defined by commercialization and proliferation, sees the United States leading in space capabilities. In 2023, the US accounted for 81% of global effective launch capacity, driven by advancements like SpaceX’s Starship. The report highlights the rapid increase in satellite launches, especially commercial ones like Starlink, and discusses the potential for new military and commercial missions. However, challenges such as space debris, licensing disparities, and industrial base risks could undermine US advantages. The report emphasizes the need for innovation in space domain awareness and debris mitigation to maintain leadership in space.