GEOINT and Space Situational Awareness (SSA): Part 2 – Do the Cultures Align?
In this follow-on article, I will continue exploring GEOINT’s potential role in outer space. In Part 1, I concluded that applying GEOINT concepts to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is feasible and is GEOINT’s next frontier. Now, in Part 2, I examine if GEOINT's culture aligns with SSA and Space Traffic Management (STM). This is not a comprehensive examination but rather a discussion to provoke thought. Culture represents the collective behavior of a profession and is often seen as the "secret sauce" that drives value creation. However, this value is only realized when the culture aligns with the tasks; acceptance of the work is another matter entirely. The question here is if GEOINT has the "secret sauce" to enhance SSA and STM. In exploring this, I will touch on GEOINT's similarities of effort, legal and governance, commercialization, collaboration, and security.
Culture represents the collective behavior of a profession and is often seen as the "secret sauce" that drives value creation. However, this value is only realized when the culture aligns with the tasks; acceptance of the work is another matter entirely. The question here is if GEOINT has the "secret sauce" to enhance SSA and STM. In exploring this, I will touch on GEOINT's similarities of effort, legal and governance, commercialization, collaboration, and security.
New Paradigm, New Challenges
The Russo-Ukrainian War has highlighted the transformational impact of outer space-based systems and their importance in the future. Satellites in LEO have been essential to Ukraine's resistance efforts, maintaining communications, performing battle damage assessments (BDA), providing situational awareness, and assisting in other critical functions. The integration of commercial space technology reflects a paradigm shift in military operations, with private companies like SpaceX providing essential services. Starlink has not only supported civilian and military Internet communications but also weapons systems. Commercial Earth Observation satellites like MAXAR’s have brought transparency, supplementing government systems, aiding in military tracking, monitoring human rights, and countering disinformation. These innovative applications demonstrate the transformative impact of integrating growing commercial space-based services with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), establishing a new paradigm for future military engagements and creating new challenges.
Common Elements
Numerous current initiatives contribute to SSA. A few notable efforts include: The Space Data Association in the UK aggregates spatial data from various operators to prevent collisions. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Domain Awareness squadron operates the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), using ground and space-based sensors to track orbiting objects. NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce (OSC) is developing the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), focusing on SSA services and the integration of commercial data.
These initiatives share common elements which are spatio-temporal data collection, data management, and spatial analytics. The elements are not only fundamental to SSA but are also deeply ingrained in GEOINT's culture. While GEOINT is often associated with imagery, its core competency in spatial analysis is directly applicable to SSA and STM and underscores GEOINT's potential role in SSA initiatives.
Legal and Governance
Space governance is challenged by an aged and weak legal framework, rapid technological advancements, and growing commercialization. Key treaties like the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the Liability Convention (1972) provide guidelines but lack enforcement mechanisms. The increasing commercialization of space complicates issues of liability, property rights, and jurisdiction. Emerging military technologies like anti-satellite weapons exacerbates these challenges.
GEOINT's expertise in navigating international legal challenges and adapting to evolving technologies positions it to manage these complexities. The data used in GEOINT, like that in STM, carries significant legal and international implications. GEOINT's experience in maritime mapping offers valuable insights that can be applied to space governance, particularly in managing space collisions and resolving orbital disputes.
Commercialization
The evolving landscape of space commercialization presents opportunities and challenges for SSA and STM. U.S. Space Policy Directive-3 of June 2018 transferred SSA data responsibilities from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Commerce (DoC), opening doors for greater international collaboration and involving commercial entities through initiatives like the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program.
GEOINT has long embraced blended government and commercial innovation of geospatial technologies. This mix has kept GEOINT at the technical forefront, particularly in change detection, activity tracking, and analytics as a service. As space commercialization expands, GEOINT’s ability to further a collaborative environment where the commercial market drives innovation will be crucial.
Collaboration
The increasing complexity of space activities has led to alliances among nations in SSA and STM. NATO's development of the Strategic Space Situational Awareness System (3SAS) exemplifies international cooperation. The emergence of "space blocs" like the European Space Agency and the African Space Agency reflects a broader trend of nations working to achieve common space goals.
The GEOINT community has long championed international cooperation and partnerships, and the Allied System for Geospatial Intelligence (ASG) is but one example. This collaborative spirit is ingrained in GEOINT's operations, as shown by its extensive work with NATO member countries. Despite varying approaches and capabilities, GEOINT has successfully cultivated strong relationships, enabling effective geospatial intelligence sharing. Initiatives like the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC) demonstrate GEOINT's ability to integrate information from multiple nations to produce intelligence, highlighting its value to SSA and STM operations.
Intelligence & Security
Space intelligence, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity are vital for safeguarding national and commercial space assets. A "Space Cold War" has foreign intelligence services targeting both government and commercial entities to steal intellectual property. The threat also extends to on-orbit operations, where adversarial satellites can engage in intelligence gathering or sabotage, underscoring the need for identification and response to threats affecting both government and commercial systems.
As LEO becomes increasingly contested, the concept of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) has emerged. SDA involves sensors to monitor space objects, distinguish between manufactured satellites and natural debris, and assess their potential impact. This goes beyond SSA by evaluating the intent, which is crucial given the rise in adversarial activities such as espionage and Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPOs) targeting both government and commercial space assets.
Cyberattacks on satellite internet providers and GPS jamming underscore the importance of cyber defense for both government and commercial space missions. The complex nature of these vulnerabilities is illustrated by their span across multiple segments, including space, ground, link, and user. New space policy directives address software cybersecurity and safeguarding ground systems from physical and cyber-attacks.
In my thinking, SDA is essentially “Orbital GEOINT.” I am suggesting a new branch of GEOINT focused on the exploitation of spatial data and information to describe, assess, and visually depict orbital features (both natural and constructed) and Earth-referenced activities in orbit. Additionally, the GEOINT community is well-versed in addressing espionage and cybersecurity challenges, with a deeply embedded culture of safeguarding sensitive information. The bottom line is that the GEOINT community is prepared to address escalating space threats, making it a key contributor to SSA and STM success.
Cultural Alignment?
I found that GEOINT has the right "secret sauce” to move GEOINT beyond “Geo.” GEOINT's experience in international collaboration, legal frameworks, and intelligence missions positions it well. While this commentary offers a promising outlook, the test lies in acceptance. In the late 1990s, I saw the evolution of the United States National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) into today’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where I came to appreciate the challenges of achieving organizational acceptance. However, this is GEOINT’s new frontier, and I encourage an open discussion exploring GEOINT's role in advancing SSA, STM, and SDA.