France Joins 21st Century Space Race Fearing Future Conflict
- Russian satellite approached French-Italian orbiter last year
- New, military space race means Europe must act, minister says
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France signaled the 21st century space race is shifting to a new, potentially more dangerous phase with an unprecedented program of investment to protect critical infrastructure from aggressors.
Officials in Paris suspect Russia was trying to intercept secret communications when it flew a spy probe close to a European satellite 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above the Earth last year, Defense Minister Florence Parly said as she announced the measures.