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Space Threat Assessment 2021

March 31, 2021

Download the Report


REPORT CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE.

Space Threat Assessment 2021 reviews the open-source information available on the counterspace capabilities developed in the past year that can threaten U.S. space systems and which countries are developing such systems. The report is intended to raise awareness and understanding of the newest threats, debunk myths and misinformation, and highlight areas in which senior leaders and policymakers should focus their attention.

This report focuses on five specific countries that are either avidly pursuing counterspace capabilities or that present the greatest risk to U.S. National Security: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and India. A sixth section analyzes the counterspace capabilities of select other countries, including some allies and partners of the United States and some non-state actors. This report is not a comprehensive assessment of all known threats to U.S. space systems because much of the information on what other countries are doing to advance their counterspace systems is not publicly available. Instead, it serves as an unclassified assessment that aggregates and highlights open-source information on counterspace capabilities for policymakers and the general public. This is the fourth annual update of this report, and more in-depth information can be found in past iterations.

This report is made possible by general support to CSIS. No direct sponsorship contributed to this report.

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Written By
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Todd Harrison
Director, Defense Budget Analysis, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program
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Kaitlyn Johnson
Deputy Director and Fellow, Aerospace Security Project
Joe Moye
Military Fellow, International Security Program
Makena Young
Research Associate, Aerospace Security Project
Media Queries

Contact H. Andrew Schwartz
Chief Communications Officer
Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Caleb Diamond
Media Relations Manager and Editorial Associate
Tel: 202.775.3173

Related
Aerospace Security Project, China, Cybersecurity, Defense Strategy and Capabilities, Defense and Security, Europe, India, International Security Program, Middle East, Military Technology, Russia, Southeast Asia, Space

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Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Caleb Diamond
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Tel: 202.775.3173

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