[singsong]

Maybe we should just allow the ChiComs to take the high ground of space.

Whoever has the high ground of capable unmanned equipment is going to have the high ground not only of space but everything else. What do you think is going to happen to their base if a flying power drill makes a hole in it? Such a station is indefensible without lots of good equipment. I'd say, let them spend themselves into bankruptcy - like the USSR did.
BTW, I got bored of explaining why white is whiter than black...

[orionblamblam]

> What do you think is going to happen to their base if a flying power drill makes a hole in it?

They'll spend maybe five minutes patching the hole with fiberglass tape and epoxy.