Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Coverage of China's space ambitions has largely focused on the PLA’s military capabilities and human spaceflight, but far less attention has been given to its commercial space sector and the industrial base supporting it. Turns out, these are growing at a stunning pace and on an unprecedented scale. Chinese launch startups, satellite internet companies, and remote sensing firms are building reusable rockets and mega-constellations, while satellite gigafactories, aerospace cities, technology hubs, and new launch sites are appearing across the country. Representing over a year’s worth of research, our Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) team released a new report today, “Blurred Orbits: Inside China’s Commercial Space Expansion,” capturing the policies, companies, investments, and manufacturing trends shaping its commercial space activities and their strategic implications for U.S. economic and national security interests. Thanks to Aidan Powers-Riggs, Chantal L., and Christina N. for your collaboration, as well as a super research team comprised of Anna Kelly, Ishani P., Jack Seay, and Mia Thiagarajan. We also benefited from talking with true experts like Blaine Curcio, Dean Cheng, Chirag Parikh, John Paul (JP) Parker, and Brian Hart. And we’re thankful to Planet and Anne Pellegrino for the satellite imagery and Strider Technologies for insights on specific technology and investment trends. https://lnkd.in/ej2FiCGE

China's growing dominance in commercial shipbuilding presents economic and national security risks. Matthew Funaiole, Senior Fellow with the China Power Project, recently testified before Congress on the scale of China's shipbuilding advantage Read more: https://bit.ly/4bmboRk

U.S. forces fired many air defense munitions during the first phase of Operation Epic Fury. Mark Cancian, Senior Advisor with CSIS Defense and Security Department, joined CNN this morning to discuss recent analysis on expended munitions. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fLewI2

EST Rapid Roundup: More Tariffs and Implications In the last week, the Trump administration has taken an array of potentially far-reaching tariff actions. Join the CSIS Economic Security and Technology (EST) Department’s Navin Girishankar, Philip Luck, and Angela Paolini ELLARD today at 4:00pm, as they unpack these actions, examine the legal challenges they may face, discuss the implications for U.S. trading partners, and assess their broader economic impact. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eevfiwvq

We're excited to announce our upcoming symposium, "Spotlighting the North Carolina Research Triangle's Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing and Innovation Hub", co-hosted with Duke University on August 10 in Durham, North Carolina. The North Carolina Research Triangle has become a global leader in biotechnology innovation and biopharmaceutical manufacturing—powered by world-class research institutions, a highly skilled workforce, strong public-private partnerships, and a robust intellectual property ecosystem. As the United States looks to strengthen its economic and national security through innovation, the Research Triangle offers valuable lessons for building globally competitive bioscience hubs. Join us for an afternoon of discussions featuring leaders from government, academia, industry, and the nonprofit sector as they explore: 🔹 Building world-class biopharmaceutical innovation ecosystems 🔹 Translating research into commercialization through investment and intellectual property 🔹 Developing the next generation of biopharmaceutical manufacturing talent 🔹 Policies and partnerships that will sustain U.S. leadership in biotechnology The program will feature a fireside conversation with Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC), alongside expert panels moderated by CSIS and Duke University leaders. Location: Rubenstein Great Hall at the Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center at 2080 Duke University Road, Durham, NC. Date and Time: August 10, 2026 | 12:30–5:30 p.m. EDT Register here: https://lnkd.in/evHrTfRa Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of American biotechnology innovation! CSIS Economic Security and Technology (EST) Department #AmericanInnovation #Biotechnology #Biopharma #Manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicSecurity #Innovation #TechnologyPolicy #ResearchTriangle #NorthCarolina

"There is no more important bilateral air and missile defense cooperative relationship than that between the U.S. & Japan," Tom Karako argues in his latest op-ed for Breaking Defense. Read about the possible paths forward in this critical moment: https://bit.ly/4q5Orbr

Since Beijing opened portions of its space industry to private investment in 2014, China’s commercial space ecosystem has expanded from fewer than a dozen firms to some 600 today. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) military space developments and China’s human spaceflight ambitions have drawn much of the spotlight, less attention has been directed toward the rapid expansion of the country’s commercial space activities. Learn more from CSIS Aerospace Security Project: https://bit.ly/4xdkkBa

LIVE NOW | Join CSIS Strategic Technologies Program, U.S. government officials, and global partners for the launch of the "Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security" and a public forum examining the geopolitical and security landscape of next-generation wireless infrastructure. Join: https://bit.ly/44Q2F6m

In a tabletop exercise, members of Congress faced Red Kraken, an AI agent trained to emulate Beijing. CSIS's Benjamin Jensen and Emily Harding examine how China could target ports and logistics to delay U.S. mobilization and argue for AI-enabled gaming to strengthen cyber defenses. Read: https://lnkd.in/gvZhN6Ym

"Revitalizing the defense industrial base is a central component of deterrence, because visible wartime staying power makes U.S. commitments more credible and signals that aggression will not become more advantageous," writes Benjamin Jensen. Read: https://lnkd.in/eETjnEvR