Space launches should withstand Chinese challenge, Pentagon mandate says

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3 min read . Updated: 10 Jan 2023, 06:38 PM IST Doug Cameron, The Wall Street Journal

The Defense Department’s National Security Space Launch program has a budget of $1.2 billion in fiscal 2023 (Photo: AFP) — The Defense Department’s National Security Space Launch program has a budget of $1.2 billion in fiscal 2023 (Photo: AFP)

SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and others prepare for next multibillion-dollar contract round—and its new requirements

The next generation of rockets built to launch US spy satellites into orbit will have to be capable of fending off interference by China and Russia, according to people briefed on a coming Pentagon competition.