Rising tensions between the United States and China are increasingly extending beyond terrestrial boundaries into outer space, prompting calls for a 'Space Emergency Hotline' to reduce risks and prevent inadvertent orbital collisions that could escalate into broader conflicts.

The urgency of the situation has been underscored by multiple incidents in recent years.

In 2021, China reported to the United Nations that its Tiangong space station had to execute evasive maneuvers on two occasions to avoid potential collisions with satellites from the American company SpaceX.

China accused the US of failing to cooperate on sharing orbital data necessary for collision avoidance.

In 2023, concerns grew around China's development of anti-satellite weaponry, including ground-based lasers and suicide satellites, amid increasing apprehension regarding potential disruptions to US space infrastructure during times of conflict.

The US has also repeatedly accused China of deploying 'mysterious purpose' satellites capable of tracking or disabling other satellites, which contributes to a murky understanding of intentions in space and complicates the security landscape.

Both nations are engaged in an escalating competition to establish lunar bases, spurring NASA to caution that a lunar race with China could monopolize resources and create new geopolitical tensions unless clear regulatory frameworks are established to govern this rivalry.

In light of these heightened tensions, the proposal for a 'direct space emergency hotline' aims to prevent random incidents and potential confrontations in space.

This recommendation was outlined in a report by the Council on Foreign Relations titled 'Securing Space: An American Action Plan', presented at the 40th Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs.

The report urges the US to prioritize space as a national imperative, noting that the current space environment is becoming increasingly crowded and complex, while lacking unified international regulations to manage it or to contain crises between adversaries.

The idea of creating a space communication line is not entirely novel; a similar hotline exists between the United States and Russia.

Retired General Nina Armagno, one of the report's contributors, highlighted that establishing a similar line with China could help avert orbital incidents and misunderstandings, especially given the intensive satellite launch activity.

In emergency situations or miscalculations, the ability to communicate directly could prove crucial.

Security expert Samuel Visner, also part of the report's team, indicated that the US commercial space industry, a cornerstone of innovation and technological advancement, is increasingly vulnerable to potential attacks from adversaries like China and Russia.

He pointed out that the first cyber attack during the Ukraine war targeted a commercial space system, emphasizing that space-based systems that support agriculture, transportation, and communications have become legitimate military targets and must be taken seriously.

With international organizations struggling to establish binding regulations for space activities and prevent the escalation of disputes, the US believes that creating trust-building mechanisms such as the emergency hotline could diminish the risks of slipping into direct space conflict.

However, the question remains: will China accept such a mechanism?

Experts suggest that the likelihood of Beijing agreeing could be limited, as it often refrains from joining initiatives led by Washington, preferring to pursue its independent space projects, such as the 'Space Silk Road' initiative.