| ID | 169292 |
| Title Proper | Strategic Implications of the Proliferation of Space Situational Awareness Technology and Information: Lessons Learned from the Remote Sensing Sector |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Borowitz, Mariel |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Space situational awareness (SSA) refers to the ability to monitor and understand the state of the space environment, including the ability to track, understand, and predict the location of human-generated and natural objects in orbit around the Earth. This capability is a critical element in attributing and deterring attacks against space assets and in avoiding unintentional collisions. Historically, the United States Department of Defense has operated the most extensive SSA system in the world. Although, in recent years, it has shared data with commercial and foreign users on an ad hoc basis to help avoid collisions, access to the full database is highly restricted. Other nations, including Russia and Europe, have begun to develop or expand independent SSA systems. A number of commercial entities have also begun operating in this area, selling or planning to sell SSA services to satellite operators and governments. There are concerns in the United States about whether this proliferation of SSA technology and information will adversely affect national security, and questions about how the United States should respond to this situation. This article uses the example of remote sensing satellite technology and information, which experienced a similar transition from U.S. and Soviet dominance to participation by a wider range of nations and commercial entities, to identify the key strategic risks and opportunities posed by this trend. I discuss the extent to which these strategic risks and opportunities apply to the proliferation of SSA technology and information, finding that while the same strategic concerns are relevant in this case, typically the risks are lower. There are significant opportunities for the United States to benefit from this proliferation of technology. The article discusses the implications of these findings and offers recommendations that will allow the United States to further decrease the strategic risks associated with this trend, while increasing the benefits.
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| `In' analytical Note | Space Policy Vol. 47, Feb 2019: p.18-27 |
| Journal Source | Space Policy 2019-02 47 |
| Key Words | Strategic Implications ; Proliferation of Space Situational Awareness Technology and Information ; Remote Sensing Sector |