The Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI) and the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) have released a joint report, Ground Game of Authoritarian Space Powers, which examines how China is pursuing a new space race not only in orbit, but on the ground. The study details how Beijing is working to penetrate and control the space sectors of more than 120 countries through hundreds of ostensibly commercial agreements, via state-controlled Chinese companies that, in effect, act as fronts for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

PSSI’s open-source financial intelligence reveals how Chinese military space firms secure American investment through publicly traded securities and private equity transactions, despite links to sanctioned defense contractors and the Chinese Communist Party’s Military-Civil Fusion program. PSSI’s proprietary database analysis further demonstrates how many of these companies bundle satellite(s), launch services,  ground stations, positioning, navigation and timing services, training, and subsidized financing to create long-term dependencies on Beijing and the loss of considerable sovereignty, while concealing China’s true intentions. Given the scope of these activities, U.S. and allied investors are often unwittingly underwriting the advanced capabilities of the Chinese military space program.

The findings of this report also inspired the Fox Nation documentary special The Enemy Above, and were presented by PSSI Chairman Roger W. Robinson Jr. on Mornings with Maria (Fox Business).