"We are lagging behind": 2022 is seen as a key year for [the U.S.] to compete with China in space

Source: Global Times - Global Network

The US "politico" website published an article on December 31, 2021, saying that the new year will become a turning point in the field of space competition between the United States and China. Because this year will most likely define the next chapter of the space age. The United States and China are fiercely vying for economic and military dominance, as well as in space. "To be sure, China is making faster progress in certain areas of space than we are," said Jerry Moran, Republican director of the Science and Space Subcommittee on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, adding that China has shown no signs of slowing down in terms of space transportation and exploration ahead of the United States and other countries.

Steve Quast, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and expert on space strategy, said, "It is becoming increasingly clear what kind of dominance China wants to occupy in space and in the space economy." China clearly sees the implications for profits and national security. "This competition will unfold in a number of ways in 2022 and it is possible to decide which of these countries will prevail within the year. It is widely believed that China's hypersonic missile test in 2021 demonstrated its technical prowess. In addition, many of the technological breakthroughs pursued by the United States and China have paved the way for a long-term presence on the moon.