Space Inspires Passion And Practicality in China

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Hitchens fears the two countries are teetering on the edge of just such a race, especially given the Chinese test of antisatellite technology to obliterate one of its weather satellites in early 2007. In turn, the United States destroyed one of its own satellites earlier this year. Though that was not called a test of antisatellite technology, Hitchens said it "was a de facto one."

Baker Spring, a defense analyst at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, said the U.S. military has become dependent on space, with satellite technology essentially embedded throughout its capabilities. That dependence becomes a huge vulnerability in any conflict with China as it strengthens its antisatellite program.

"China does not seek to be a peer to the United States in space," Spring said. "China is indeed willing to sacrifice its space capabilities in any military conflict as long as it can take down the U.S. in that space."

He thinks that China seeks the ability to knock out U.S. satellites and argues that the Pentagon must strengthen its satellite defenses while also protecting commercial satellites of others that can be relied on as backups.

"Threats of retaliation won't work," Spring said. "The U.S. needs damage-limiting strategies."

Researcher Liu Liu contributed to this report.

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