The United States is starting to fall behind in the new space race, says Glenn Gaffney, former head of the CIA’s Science and Technology Directorate.
His comments came during an interview on the “Intelligence Matters” podcast hosted by CBS News contributor Michael Morell. Gaffney is a 30-year veteran of the CIA.
"I think one of the big challenges that we have today is a number of our capabilities in the space arena have atrophied over the years," Gaffney said.
Gaffney said decades of spending reductions regarding the space program have taken its toll.
"China and Russia have continued to build and to invest in their capabilities in this area as well as other areas," he said. "And in many ways, the U.S. has some catch-up to do.”
He was encouraged by the Trump administration’s proposal for a new Space Force branch of the military.
Space Force would draw troops from across the military, including the National Guard and Reserves, and be responsible for overseeing the acquisition of all space technologies and weapons.
"I don't know enough about…the way they're thinking about the command to comment effectively on it," Gaffney said. "What I do see it as is a recognition of the need for specific and deliberate focus to pay attention and build capability in that area."
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