Opinion

China is taking the fight to the stars. America must reclaim space supremacy

Thanks to Kennedy, the United States did once occupy 'a position of preeminence' in space. But no more. China now holds that title

By Douglas MacKinnon Fox News

Published September 25, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Pentagon admits US has space weapons in Earth's orbit

Fox News' Alexandria Hoff reports as Air Force Secretary Troy Mink confirms the U.S. has deployed space weapons in Earth's orbit on 'Fox Report.'

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As one who has had the honor to consult for NASA and the Space Shuttle team in the past; work space-defense-related issues in the Pentagon; speak with all 12 men who walked on the Moon; and author tens of columns on the subject, I have been "Johnny One-Note" over the last decade or so warning that the People’s Republic of China is seeking to establish itself as the dominant military power in space for decades to come. Did anyone in authority care? Not so much.

That may now be changing. Two recent stories in the news have certainly elevated not only interest, but apprehension.

The first one being when Air Force Secretary Troy Meink recently confirmed that the U.S. has weapons stationed in Earth orbit. Said Meink, in part, presumably as a warning to China and, to a lesser extent, Russia at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference: "Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they........

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