Understanding the Threat Environment in Space: Chief Lerch — Ep. 283
From The Aerospace Advantage by The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
March 28, 2026 · 1h 4m · Season 6 · Episode 283
About this episode
The episode discusses the competitive space capabilities between China and the United States with insights from Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch.
China is pressing hard to gain a spacepower capability advantage over the United States, including offensive and defensive capabilities on orbit. Our Mitchell Institute team explores these realities with Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Deputy of Chief of Space Operations. This is a crucial conversation you won’t want to miss.
People in this episode
Host: Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch
Topics covered
- spacepower
- China
- United States
- defensive capabilities
- offensive capabilities
- space operations
Keywords
- spacepower
- China
- United States
- space operations
- defensive capabilities
- offensive capabilities
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Places: United States, China
More episodes of The Aerospace Advantage
- Victory Through Production: Lessons from D-Day — Ep. 293 · June 6, 2026 · 1h 4m
- FY27 Budget, Space Force Launch, and the Future of Airpower — Ep. 292 · May 30, 2026 · 55 min
- Epic Fury Lessons Learned: Lt. Gen. “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) — Ep. 291 · May 23, 2026 · 49 min
- Allied Leadership Conversation: Maj Gen Wickman, Commander of the Swedish AF — Ep. 290 · May 16, 2026 · 36 min
- Want to Reset the Air Force? Lessons from the Reagan Build-Up — Ep. 289 · May 9, 2026 · 1h 12m
- FY27 Defense Budget, Fighter Support in Congress, Space Update: The Rendezvous — Ep. 288 · May 2, 2026 · 52 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Aerospace Advantage podcast page.