Electron ELaNa-19 launch
A Rocket Lab Electron carrying 13 cubesats lifts off Dec. 16 from the company's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Credit: Rocket Lab/Trevor Mahlmann

WASHINGTON — Privately funded space companies are pouring billions of dollars into the development of satellites, sensors and launch vehicles that the Pentagon needs to modernize its own capabilities to stay ahead of space rivals China and Russia. The government, however, is not taking advantage of burgeoning commercial innovations due to bureaucratic inertia, says a study released on Monday by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...