China ASAT test exposed US vulnerabilities: Gates

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Wednesday said a Chinese anti-satellite test earlier this year exposed US vulnerabilities in space and he called on the military to protect "unfettered" US access to space.

Gates referred to the Chinese anti-satellite test at a change of command ceremony at the US Strategic Command, which is responsible for US nuclear forces, missile defense and military operations in space and cyberspace.

"The importance of maintaining unfettered access to space was reinforced earlier this year when China successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon," Gates said.

"This test and other developments show our own near Earth satellites are vulnerable and need to be protected," he said.

On January 11, China launched a...