Defending the nation’s assets in space

For thousands of years, outer space was an otherworld, out-of-reach fantasy, a feast for the imagination. Now it’s becoming like parts of Earth: crowded, competitive and filled with stuff.

With thousands of satellites and man-made debris orbiting the planet, competition for space and tactical advantage has led to worries about a familiar, formerly Earth-bound scourge — war.

President Donald Trump called for the creation of a Space Force. The Hawaii Air National Guard wants to add an offensive space electronic warfare squadron to its mission set.

“Some of intent is very simple,” said Brig. Gen. Ryan Okahara, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard. “You have no business being next to our highly sensitive, classified military satellite. Why are you moving to us?”

With high-flying satellites becoming integral to our lives down below — think weather forecasting, GPS, communications and more — it’s inevitable that they must be protected from mischief or worse.

Still, it’s a shame that our presence in space can’t be more like Star Trek than Star Wars. Let’s hope that peaceful agreements can supersede the high-tech sword.