A new report from the Commercial Space Federation, a lobbying group fighting for the interests of the privatized space industry, found that China’s space program is experiencing a meteoric rise, and will soon pose a significant challenge to the US’ dominant position in space. Posed as a “risk assessment” of the pressure Chinese competition puts on “American influence” in space, the report paints a stark picture. “China’s decade of steady progress in space is now reshaping the competitive landscape and may soon challenge US leadership and commercial strength,” it reads. “The risks extend beyond technology to markets, partnerships, and governance, signaling a pivotal moment in global space competition.”Among the paper’s key findings is that Chinese commercial space investment has exploded over recent years. “This rapid progression, combined with China’s proven track record — such as the world’s first lunar far-side sample return — signals not just technological ambition but a deliberate bid to redraw partnerships of deep space exploration,” the Commercial Space Federation paper frets.