WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Wednesday said a Chinese anti-satellite test earlier this year exposed US vulnerabilities in space and he called on the military to protect "unfettered" US access to space.

Gates referred to the Chinese anti-satellite test at a change of command ceremony at the US Strategic Command, which is responsible for US nuclear forces, missile defense and military operations in space and cyberspace.

"The importance of maintaining unfettered access to space was reinforced earlier this year when China successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon," Gates said.

"This test and other developments show our own near Earth satellites are vulnerable and need to be protected," he said.

On January 11, China launched a ballistic missile that destroyed one of its own weather satellites in low Earth orbit in a surprise test that sent political shock waves around the world.

Gates emphasized US reliance on space and tied it to US efforts to prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of extremists -- "arguably the greatest threat facing our nation today."

"It is through space we monitor the weapons we already know exist," he said. "It is through space we can track adversaries attempting to acquire these weapons and then do something about it."

"It is through space that our troops and our leadership monitor the battlefield and communicate with each other. Therefore, it is space we must protect, especially as we expand its use," he said.

Air Force General Kevin Chilton, a former astronaut, assumed command of the US Strategic Command at Wednesday's ceremony.

He succeeded Marine Corps General James Cartwright, who is now vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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