Space Partnerships and Competition in the Pacific
Space Partnerships and Competition in the Pacific
18 March 2024
Speakers:
-Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, Commander of the U.S. Space Forces Indo- Pacific
-Ms. Barbara Golf, Executive Agent for Space Domain Awareness
-Dr. Lincoln Hines, Georgia Institute of Technology
-Mr. Sam Wilson, Systems Director, Center for Space Policy and Strategy, The Aerospace Corporation (Moderator)
-Mr. Martin Whelan, Senior Vice President, Defense Systems Group, The Aerospace Corporation
Key Highlights:
Collaboration with Allies and Partners:
Collaboration with allies and partners is emphasized as crucial in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Brigadier General Mastalir highlights the positive developments stemming from such partnerships.
Defense against Space-Enabled Threats
Brigadier General Mastalir discussed the significance of safeguarding against space-based threats in the Indo-Pacific region as paramount. It underscores the pivotal role of space superiority in effectively disrupting hostile operations and safeguarding valuable assets. Emphasizes the importance of mitigating China’s space capabilities to uphold the security of the joint force and protect U.S. interests in the area. Furthermore, the pressing need for readiness given China’s objective of unification by 2027.
Importance of Closing Kill Chains in Strategic Operations
Space capabilities play a pivotal role in closing kill chains efficiently, especially amidst China’s deliberate space architecture aimed at impeding U.S. intervention in the Indo-Pacific region. The ability to close kill chains over long distances is a top priority for the joint force, as it enables the protection of high-value assets and minimizes risks to the joint force. Furthermore, the urgency of countering China’s space capabilities to safeguard U.S. interests and uphold strategic superiority is underscored, given the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Collaboration and Partnership in Space Operations
Ms. Golf emphasizes the importance of working with various stakeholders, including government agencies and commercial partners, to effectively manage spaceflight safety missions and joint commercial operations. By transitioning spaceflight safety responsibilities to the Department of Commerce and establishing regional command and control cells in collaboration with commercial partners, the US Space Force demonstrates a commitment to fostering cooperation and partnership in space activities.
Comprehensive Space Domain Awareness:
Ms. Golf emphasizes the necessity of monitoring and understanding the entirety of the space domain. This includes identifying and tracking both environmental phenomena and manmade objects, such as satellites and debris, to ensure effective management of space assets and operations.
Supporting Various Objectives
Highlights how Space Domain Awareness serves multiple purposes, ranging from supporting the growing space economy to ensuring spaceflight safety and enabling defensive measures against hostile actors. The ability to monitor and analyze space activities facilitates informed decision-making across diverse domains and operational contexts.
Space as a Deterrence Tool:
Space is framed as a crucial domain for deterrence, where the denial of benefits and imposition of
costs on adversaries play a significant role. Mr. Whelan explores how the development of smaller, agile satellite constellations enhances the ability to impose costs on adversaries, contributing to deterrence efforts. This highlights the evolving role of space capabilities in shaping strategic deterrence strategies.
Operational Agility and Flexibility:
A key theme revolves around the necessity for operational agility and flexibility in response to evolving requirements and changing operational environments. Mr. Whelan emphasizes the need for operators and acquirers to adapt quickly to emerging demands and prioritize resources effectively to enhance operational readiness and capability development.
China’s Commercial Space Sector:
Dr. Hines believes China is striving to enhance its commercial space industry due to perceived rivalry with the United States. However, despite state support and policy initiatives, Chinese commercial space companies face challenges in achieving true innovation and competitiveness, often remaining subordinate to state-owned enterprises.
International Collaboration and Exercises:
Brigadier General Mastalir highlights the importance of international collaboration and exercises in the space domain. He discussed various exercises conducted across the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the significance of multilateral engagements for enhancing interoperability and readiness among partner nations.