If you were thinking that we will manage to become a spacefaring civilisation in the future without first creating conflicts, you are greatly mistaken. Or at least that's what I think.
If history is any indication, there will be fights and conflicts for resources in space, for rights to "space real estate", offensive and defensive spacecrafts and satellites and who knows what else.
The first sign of all this became visible when the US established the "Space Force". Many people started making fun of the idea because we don't live in a world where spacecrafts can easily come in and go out of Earth. So, it wasn't a real "space force" in the generic sense of the word.
However, their activities since then have shown they can become a formidable force in the near future. Most recently, the unveiled a satellite jammer that can become a big headache for other nations and corporations.
A New Race Begins
The US Space Force recently acquired its satellite jammer. It is its first offensive weaponry that is capable of doing exactly what it sounds like. It blocks satellite communication signals, thus rendering them useless for a certain period of time.
This has huge consequences. In the digital age that we live in, communication is everything. Cut it off even for a small period of time, and all kinds of havocs can be wreaked. Do that at critical times and you can deal huge blows.
The technology driving these satellite jammers has been around for quite a while. However, the US military only acquired it recently. This might launch an entirely new race that will be much more intense than the space race. Also, it will be quite deadly as well.
Russia has already had these satellite jammers since 2019. Countries like India have tested rockets capable of destroying satellites in orbit. As time goes by, the top nations of the world will develop deadlier weapons.
In the more distant future, there is a great possibility of wars or small battles outside Earth. As nations and corporations plan to exploit resources in space and establish colonies on other planets and moons, the chances of such conflicts are really huge.