“BOOTS ON THE MOON:” Report urges Space Force deployment to counter China.

The Space Force must plan to deploy troops on orbiting space stations and at bases on the moon to prevent China from winning the new space race and controlling outer space, according to a report by an aerospace think tank.

The report by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies warns that a sustained human military presence in space is needed to counter China’s growing space efforts that are run by the People’s Liberation Army, including plans for a moon base by 2030.

“China is poised to achieve positional advantage in setting norms, standards, and legal frameworks for lunar habitation and lunar economy,” states the report, made public May 22. “This condition is unacceptable for U.S. national security.”

Military troop deployments in space are needed to defend American interests over the long term and to prevent Chinese dominance in the region of low-Earth orbit to the moon in the 21st century, the report states.

Using unmanned drones for military operations or limiting space presence to civilians under the direction of NASA poses national security risks, based on China’s current designs on space, the report said.

A human military space presence is imperative because of the growing likelihood of a high-stakes competition for control of lunar access and resources.

How long before Space Force has its own version of the Navy’s Marine Corps? A “Mobile Infantry,” if you will.