Space Symposium Day 2
Space Symposium
09 April 2024
Winning in Competition and Conflict
Gen Stephen Whiting, Commander, USSPACECOM
Great Power Competition & Adversaries
-We have seen both China and Russia continue to turn space into a warfighting domain. We’re closely watching our competitors.
-Both have made rapid advancements that threaten the peaceful use of space. China is moving at a breathtaking speed. They’ve built a kill web over the Pacific Ocean. They have a range of counterspace weapons.
-Russia has doubled the amount of their satellites. They continue to invest in counterspace weapons. They continue to rely on space, cyber, and nuclear.
-Those of us in USSPACECOM, we do not want war but war in space is not inevitable. Americans, allies, we’ve all become accustomed to the benefits we get from space.
USSPACECOM Responsibilities
-Our warfighters and allies assume capabilities will be there.
-We must protect and defend our constellations.
-We must protect our joint force.
-To protect our interests we leverage capabilities across several stakeholders. Unified Command Plan is an order from POTUS. This includes our responsibilities. Space operations, global sensor manager, global satcom manager, trans regional missile defense, space joint force provider.
-Our AOR, 100k up and extends to infinity. Supporting and supported command.
Priorities
-Prepare and posture. We must maximize combat readiness by 2027.
-Countering threats. They hold at risk our modern way of life and how we defend this nation.
-Strengthening relationships. We are truly successful when we pursue outcomes over equities. We’re committed to building partnerships and being great teammates.
-Expand warfighting advantage. We must be thinking beyond 2027.
Operation Olympic Defender
-We have invited three new allies, Germany, France, and New Zealand. I look forward for their consideration of joining us.
-We share intelligence, plan together, and are working to improve C2.
Global Sentinel
-This allows us to come together and figure out improved ways to work together and improve SDA.
-We will have 25 countries joining us by the end of May.
Integration Cell
-We have ten companies as a part of this. We are inviting eight additional companies to enter our cell.
SDA Data Sharing Agreements
-We have 185 and this week I will sign another.
Capability Assessment and Validation Environment or CAVE
-Has reached IOC. Will provide better ways of deterring. It will help with combatant command requirements.
Theory of Success & Competitive Endurance
-USSPACECOM, we subscribe to these tenants and we use them to allow us to compete and develop sets and reps we need to succeed when called upon.
-We must create a committed coalition. We also must campaign together. We need to execute combined training. We will close friendly kill chains to improve speed. We will reveal to deter and conceal to win.
-C5ISR kill web. This is vital to protect the joint force. We will protect and defend systems.
-USSPACECOM does not want any war. It would be devastating. We want to remain in enduring competition.
Dynamic Space Operations & Sustained Space Maneuver
-This will change how we operate.
-Allowing operations until the mission is complete, not until the fuel runs out.
-Investment in sustained space maneuver technologies is critical to assess our ability to achieve and sustain space superiority.
-Tactical responsive space, let’s acknowledge we have a lot to do. We’ve got to make all of our constellations more resilient and protect the joint force. We must have a test and training enterprise.
-Are we doing all we can to ensure America maintains their position as the leader in space?
Coalition of Stakeholders
-I’m calling for a coalition of stakeholders which will start with information sharing.
-DOD Space Security Classification Guidance Policy is a start. If we don’t change we are failing.
-We must leverage our nation’s lead in commercial technology.
-We have to modernize our legacy systems and ensure they work together seamlessly.
Space as the Final Frontier
-NASA is taking humanity back to the moon. We will ensure space remains safe, sustainable, and secure for future generations.
-We will see humanity on Mars and humanity living permanently in the solar system.
[End]
Research & Development Across the DOD
Hon. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, DOD
Competition in Space
-Russia and China have increasingly intensive the militarization of space. Both nations are integrating space and counterspace capabilities into their national and warfighting strategies.
-They are intertwined civil and military space. This complicates things.
-Our adversaries are developing counterspace weapons. They want to inflict permanent damage. They possess the capability to jam navigation and communication satellites. They’re developing targeting capabilities. Both have demonstrated ASAT missiles.
-Russia nuclear warheads. This raises concerns of nuclear detonation in space.
-NK is pursuing weapons in space.
-We must improve SSA and be able to detect and predict movement.
-Adversaries are pursuing cyber capabilities as well.
Hybrid Architecture & Commercial Strategy
-We’ve adopted a hybrid architecture that diversifies our pathways.
-To further strengthen this, we must incorporate commercial.
-2024 DOD Commercial Integration Strategy, in line with NSS, and 2022 NDS, this strategy seeks to align DOD efforts in integration commercial in NSS architectures. This is imperative to properly diversify our capabilities.
-DOD can rapidly evolve to stay ahead of adversaries and maintain our strategic edge. We can optimize detection, tracking, and identifying targets.
AI/ML/Autonomous Functions
-This not only reduces the burden of human operators, it also enables us to make strategic decisions.
-Commercial can play a huge role in driving these advancements.
-AI/automation of satellites, we need to develop affordable electronics. Commercial innovation in this area can help.
-AI and ML will continue to grow in importance since they can turn data rapidly into intel. AI and ML will significantly reduce an operator’s workload.
Technology Advancements
-Diversifying orbits. Strategy includes diversity of orbits. DOD is actively investigating propulsion technologies.
-With rapid advancements in manufacturing, components can be produced faster and at lower cost.
-Technology advancements have significantly decreased weight of satellites. Rapid growth of small sats. These technologies have decreased launch cost. Reusable rockets. Affordable launch was unimaginable just 20 years ago. Rapid satellite launch and operation readiness is critical.
DOD Partnerships
-China wants to bolster their power and have dominance in space. Over 70 countries in this world have active space programs.
-Partnership between DOD and commercial is now a necessity. Commercial space is now the new space race.
-They help with SSA, secure comms pathways, and bolster our strategic advancements. We must expand our collaboration with allies and partners.
-With allies and partners we are improving the quality of life for people around the globe.
NATO
-NATO recognizes the importance of navigations, launch, C2… NATO is making significant investments.
-The alliance is committed to enhancing the security and communication channels for its forces.
-To enhance sat infrastructure, it bolsters NATO’s capabilities and resilience against adversary attempts to interfere with comms networks.
International Partnerships
-In December last year, Africa Space Symposium was held. First ever.
-Last month, INDOPACOM took a giant leap forward in multi domain integration through joint exercises with 33 nations.
-We are confronted with an increasingly contested and congested space domain. We need to work collaboratively together to rapidly innovate and ensure space remains accessible to all.
[End]
National Intelligence
Dr. Troy Meink, Principal Deputy Director, NRO
Recruiting & Workforce
-Intern programs have had great progress. We’re posting videos online and that’s gotten a lot of traction.
-ISR, we have the best in the world and need all the talent the US and our allies can offer.
-We are helping our current employees further their degrees. Great program.
-We are offering higher levels of compensation. We are the government and we can’t always compete with industry but we’re doing our best.
-NRO is doing challenging work. This is work where really skilled individuals can make a big difference.
NRO Responsibilities
-Millions of people count on us every day.
-DOD and IC depend on NRO for national security. We provide real time situational awareness, support analysts and policy makers.
-NRO systems are often the only tools able to access hostile territory.
-Space based ISR has become the primary means of collection from space. We’re at a pivotal moment in history.
Adversaries
-Our competitors are posing unprecedented challenges. They are becoming more aggressive.
-China’s space sector is on pace to become a major competitor.
-We need to increase our rate of change.
NRO Efforts
-We will continue to increase our number of satellite, smaller proliferated systems. This will provide greater revisit rates and increased coverage.
-Ground ops must evolve as well. NRO is developing tools and techniques to more effectively manage the architecture we’re evolving.
-Working with IC and DOD, we will deliver information that’s more easily digestible faster than ever before.
-NROL70 launching this morning, 1053MDT. This is important. It ends the era of delta heavy. It will also put on orbit a payload that will deliver critical information to analysts and decision makers.
-Next month, first phase of proliferated architecture, NROL146. This will be early May. This will be the first launch of an operational system after several demos. Half a dozen of these launches are planned for 2024.
NRO Architecture Advancements
-These architectures were enabled by a few key advances. Cost of launch is coming down dramatically.
-We’re taking advantage of different launch locations. This includes New Zealand.
-Performance of current digital technology from commercial market, it has opened doors and we’re taking full advantage.
-Replicated composite optics, this has been great. It’s not an easy thing to do. I think we have the formula right.
-AQ risk management approach is changing. There’s continued debate about going fast and taking more risk but the devil is in the details. We have to meet the requirements period. We’re combining our efforts to optimize talent, tools, and effectiveness.
Title 10 & Title 50
-We operate under both Title 10 and Title 50 authorities. We’re very proud of this.
-We have a long history of providing direct support. We have been working with our DOD partners including USSF on GMTI. We are developing and acquiring a space system that will meet requirements.
-We’re always looking for mechanisms to move through contracts faster. We’re working hard to award more every year. Our commercial office is pushing hard.
New Partners
-We’re expanding our outreach. We know innovation can come from anywhere. If there’s a good idea, we want it and we want it as soon as we can get it.
-We’re investing in the talent of tomorrow. If you have a talented team, you can do anything. And the NRO has a talented team.
[End]
Space Policy
Chirag Parikh, Executive Secretary, National Space Council
International Partnerships
-NSC just held a meeting on international partnerships.
-We’re working with our departments and agencies to help them with international partnerships as well. Tons of efforts ongoing.
-NASA is tasked with developing a lunar plan including commercial and international partnerships. Moon to Mars Architecture document, we really thank NASA for this.
-We have bilateral engagements with both France and Japan. Norms of behavior, best practices, these are the conversations we need to have.
-These conversations are also helping us understand the threats in space.
-Coming year, we will be working with State, NASA, USA ID on international capacity building using space. This is a big initiative.
-We’re also working to further implement the Artemis Accords.
-Nationals security front, there are a lot of challenges we must unencumbered. These are things we are directly working with and working to break down barriers.
-Industry partners, please deepen your focus on international partnerships. We are bringing in industry and intend to do this with countries to include Germany, Italy, even the African union.
-We’re looking to review export control. It’s been over a decade since we’ve done an export review on space technology. I think technology has evolved… We need to make sure we have a fair and level playing field. Mid-June we believe State Department and Commerce advanced notification for potential rule making… moving over from ITAR to Commerce…
-We appreciate the significant amount of increased in your space budgets. We encourage industry to increase their partnerships with allies as well. Please think of creative partnering opportunities.
Workforce
-Country needs a skilled and diverse workforce.
-2022 VP announced initiatives to inspire and deploy space workforce. We put out a roadmap. Space Workforce Coalition in the Gulf state, coast of Florida, and southern California. Trying to demonstrate an approach to employment opportunities. We’re just scratching the surface.
-VP announces expansion of the Coalition. It’s taking root and having benefits. We’re expanding this to Colorado and Alabama. We would be very interested in understanding other locations we need to consider.
Communication
-How do we communicate what we’re doing in space?
-In order to strengthen collaboration, Dept of Education, AIAA, Space Foundation, they’re working with over 150 companies to develop a space for all campaign to increase awareness of space advantages.
-We have to roll this up into something people understand. Admin prioritizes science, exploration, jobs, international partnerships, strategic competition, and we’re just one small set of a broader enterprise and we need to be able to articulate how space contributes.
[End]
NATO’s Strategic Warfare
Gen. Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO
Role of Space & Threats
-Concept of war has changed dramatically because of space capabilities.
-Russia invasion of Ukraine, space capabilities played a critical role.
-China’s military space development is of particular concern.
-Dominance in space will not be achieved by a single nation. NATO’s strength relies on collective power. We’re working tirelessly to make sure we are seamlessly integrated.
-Space has been declared an operational domain in 2019.
Workforce
-Space requires a diverse workforce. This is a challenge for NATO and our member nations as we work to retain talent needed for this domain.
Integration
-NATO is an alliance founded on the belief that nations aligned are more powerful together than individually. We have the complex mission of keeping the edge today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.
-2019 is only five years ago. We have rushed to integrate space into our concepts and plans. We’ve been able to integrate space at full speed because we are working to transform NATO into multi domain enabled alliance.
-Gen Saltzman says now is the time to partner and win.
Competition & Congestion
-Space is vast but it is already congested.
-There are growing space powers. Technological advancements are happening at speed.
-Data collection, revisit times, potential for real time SDA, this is all driven by new, innovative space systems.
-Global positioning systems, satcom, they enable us. Disruption to services could be crippling. It has the potential to affect all users.
-Grey zone of space activities is blurred and it makes it difficult to discern intentions.
-Competition for resources and electromagnetic spectrum and cyber attacks adds to complexity.
-We need improved SDA and we need it faster. Only then can we effectively navigate grey areas.
Working Together
-We are coordinating and identifying areas where we can better share.
-We are educating countries in the alliance.
-SDA, space coalition, space sharing.
-Dedicated structures such as NATO Space Center and the NATO Space Center of Excellence are focal points of working together and they’re crucial.
-Voluntary information sharing makes a collective difference.
-We invest in education and training to develop the workforce.
-Responsible behavior in space is a common goal.
Resilience in Space
-Building resilience in space requires a multi-layer approach.
-Building to protect against cyber-attacks will be critical.
-Fostering STM and debris mitigation can ensure a safer operating environment.
-Deterrence is essential. We must do this effectively.
-Space wargames are expected in the coming months and we must continue to build on these forums.
Trust & Cooperation
-We must foster trust and cooperation among allies.
-Multinational exercises help develop the skills needed. They’re essential to developing capabilities.
-NATO is adapting quickly. We strive for a safer and more secure environment.
[End]