U.S. security officials are increasingly warning that if the United States and China clash militarily over Taiwan, combat could begin in space rather than on the ground. China is rapidly expanding its satellite forces and developing anti-satellite weapons, raising concerns that the U.S. military’s heavy reliance on space could become a vulnerability. U.S. Space Force doctrine focuses on maintaining “space superiority,” while budget plans and allied cooperation aim to counter Chinese capabilities.

SpaceX will sharply reduce launches from Florida for the rest of this year, effectively ending Starlink missions there and continuing Starlink launches mainly from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California until Starship is deployed. Ars Technica reported the Florida cadence could fall to about two launches a month from 8 to 9. A SpaceX vice president said the latest Falcon 9 launch was the last scheduled Florida Starlink mission for now.