Why Space Security Policies Matter for Citizens?

Why a Space security policy framework is imporant for the citizens? – by Frederic Eger – A Space security policy is essential for the well-being of citizens, as it safeguards critical services, enhances safety, supports economic stability, and encourages global collaboration. Satellites are integral to various space technologies, including communication, navigation, and weather prediction. A strong policy is necessary to protect these systems from potential threats, ensuring the smooth functioning of daily life and economic operations. As space systems increasingly connect with terrestrial infrastructure, implementing cybersecurity measures becomes vital to defend against cyber threats aimed at satellites and their associated services. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has advocated for a comprehensive Space Security Policy Framework to maintain peace and stability in outer space. This framework should encompass international collaboration, responsible conduct guidelines, data sharing, transparency, a legal structure, capacity building, sustainability, and multilateral engagement. It aims to cultivate a mutual understanding of space security challenges, facilitate dialogue among nations, tackle specific issues like space debris management and anti-satellite tests, and enhance information exchange. The current legal framework, primarily shaped by the Outer Space Treaty, needs to be updated to meet modern challenges. The framework should emphasize the long-term sustainability of outer space endeavors, addressing concerns such as space debris and ensuring a secure environment for future generations.

A Space Force plays a significant role in Space Security Policies. The US Space Force (USSF) , established in December 2019, is a significant shift in the US’s approach to military operations in space. Its primary mission is to protect US and allied interests in space while ensuring freedom of operation. The USSF organizes, trains, and equips personnel, known as “Guardians,” to conduct global space operations that enhance joint military capabilities. It also conducts various space operations, including satellite communications, missile warning systems, and space domain awareness. The USSF oversees the development and acquisition of new technologies through its Space Systems Command, including advanced satellite systems and launch capabilities. It plays a critical role in cybersecurity related to space operations, protecting satellites and ground stations from cyber threats that could disrupt military communications or data. The USSF engages in international partnerships to establish norms for behavior in space, enhancing global security through cooperation with allied nations. Compared to other nations like Russia and China, the USSF aims to deter aggression while ensuring freedom of operation for the United States and its allies in outer space. As global competition intensifies, the role of the USSF will continue to evolve, reflecting the strategic importance of space in national security policies worldwide.

Who are the key researchers participating in the design of Space Security Policy Framework? Richard Chasdi , a renowned scholar in space security, has developed the Space Security Policy Framework. His framework, which uses complex systems analysis to define the “Earth-Moon loop system,” identifies security threats from terrestrial and extraterrestrial interactions, such as cyber terrorism and potential conflicts on the Moon. Chasdi emphasizes understanding the roles of different stakeholders and the factors contributing to risk formation in space, such as economic conditions, technological advancements, and geopolitical tensions. As the commercial space industry expands, new threats emerge, such as resource depletion on celestial bodies like the Moon, which could lead to conflicts among nations and private entities. Richard Chasdi advocates for a multidimensional policy approach, including risk assessment, risk abatement, and international cooperation. He proposes strategic recommendations for policymakers to enhance space security, emphasizing collaboration among nations and adapting norms and regulations to the dynamic nature of space exploration. The Space Security Policy Framework consists of key components, including a risk-based approach, cybersecurity resilience, collaboration among stakeholders, the establishment of norms and standards, continuous improvement and adaptation, integration with existing policies, and education and awareness initiatives.

Kai-Uwe Schrogl , the President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), is a prominent figure in international space law and policy. With extensive experience in the field, he has contributed significantly to the discourse on space law, authored or co-edited over 20 books and more than 140 articles, reports, and papers. His notable works include the Handbook of Space Security and A Research Agenda for Space Policy. Schrogl is involved with the Global Future Council on Space at the World Economic Forum and has participated in legislative discussions at the European Parliament and the U.S. House of Representatives. His expertise places him at the forefront of shaping international space law and policy. Kai-Uwe Schrogl outlines key elements for a robust and secure space environment, including integrated security measures, a common risk and resilience assessment methodology, collaboration among stakeholders, a focus on cybersecurity, continuous training and adaptation, and the development of international norms. Integrated security measures should be embedded throughout all phases of space programs, from conception to operation, to ensure security is a foundational aspect of space missions and infrastructures. Collaboration among governmental, commercial, and international stakeholders is crucial for building trust and ensuring diverse interests are represented in security discussions. Robust cybersecurity measures, informed by risk assessments, are essential for protecting assets against cyber threats. Continuous training and re-training of personnel involved in space operations are also essential to keep pace with evolving threats.

Peter L. Hays is a prominent figure in space policy, currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute. With extensive experience in national security and military space operations, Hays has served as a Senior Policy Advisor, taught space policy courses, and directed the USAF Institute for National Security Studies. He is also a Professor of Comparative Military Studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell AFB. Hays’ research focuses on national security space policy, joint warfighting doctrine, and the implications of emerging technologies in space. He advocates for a comprehensive Space Security Policy Framework that integrates various dimensions of space governance, international cooperation, sustainable practices, and deterrence strategies. The framework should be structured into four critical areas: policies, technologies, applications, and programs.

Saadia M. Pekkanen , a renowned academic in international relations, specializes in space policy and law. She is the Associate Director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and holds the position of Job and Gertrud Tamaki Professor. Pekkanen’s work focuses on commercial, legal, and security policies shaping outer space affairs. She is known for her editorial role in publications like The Oxford Handbook of Space Security, which addresses critical issues related to space governance, security, and policy frameworks. Pekkanen emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, legal standards, cybersecurity resilience, sustainability, technological innovation, transparency, and adaptability in ensuring effective governance and security in outer space. She advocates for multilateral collaboration to establish norms and standards governing space behavior, adherence to international treaties, encouraging technological innovation, reducing misunderstandings, and adapting to emerging threats.

Researchers at Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI): Tracey Forrest, Paul Samson, and, Raymond Laflamme. Tracey Forrest , researcher in the field of transformative technologies, currently serving as the Research Director of Transformative Technologies at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). With a background in engineering, academia, and governance, she focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies and international policy. Tracey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental (Chemical) Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Energy and Environmental Economics from Scuola Mattei in Italy. She has furthered her expertise through professional training in quantum technologies, data science, and sustainable business strategies at prestigious institutions like Harvard University and MIT. Forrest leads a network of researchers at CIGI, leading a network of researchers exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by transformative technologies in relation to international governance. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo, contributing to academic discourse on technology and governance. Forrest’s expertise spans renewable energy, quantum technologies, and international governance. She emphasizes the importance of thoughtful integration of technology into societal frameworks and navigates complex multi-sectoral partnerships that facilitate innovation while addressing governance challenges. Her leadership at CIGI positions her as a key contributor to discussions on how transformative technologies can be harnessed for global good.

Paul Samson , President of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), has over 30 years of experience in global policy issues and international partnerships. He has held senior roles in the Canadian Government, including Director General of Strategic Policy at the Canadian International Development Agency, Assistant Deputy Minister positions with Global Affairs Canada and Finance Canada, and Associate Deputy Minister with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Samson’s analysis of the Space Security Policy Framework highlights critical elements for ensuring security and stability in outer space, including international cooperation, legal and regulatory standards, cybersecurity measures, sustainability and environmental responsibility, transparency and confidence-building, adaptability to emerging threats, and the promotion of responsible norms. He advocates for robust international collaboration among spacefaring nations to establish norms and standards that govern behavior in space, ensuring secure and effective operations.

Raymond Laflamme , a renowned Canadian theoretical physicist, holds the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis “John von Neumann” Chair in Quantum Information at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo and serves as an associate faculty member at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He earned his PhD under Stephen Hawking in 1988 and has held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of British Columbia, Peterhouse College, Cambridge, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Laflamme’s research primarily focuses on quantum error correction and robust quantum control, developing theoretical frameworks for quantum error-correcting codes and established conditions for fault-tolerant quantum computing systems.

James Clay Moltz , a space security researcher and professor, has written numerous books, including “The Politics of Space Security: Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests.” His book provides a comprehensive analysis of space security challenges, focusing on the interplay between national interests and international cooperation. Key themes include strategic restraint, environmental considerations, international norms and cooperation, historical context, critique of space weapons development, emerging actors and technologies, sustainability of national interests, and adaptability to new threats. Moltz emphasizes the need for spacefaring nations to exercise strategic restraint to avoid escalating tensions and conflicts in space. He also emphasizes the importance of reducing environmental impacts, particularly concerning orbital debris, which threatens not only individual satellites but the entire space environment. Moltz criticizes the development of space weapons as destabilizing influences on the security environment and emphasizes that national policies should align with broader goals of sustainability and cooperation in space to ensure collective security and environmental integrity.

A Space Security Policy promotes safety, security, and sustainability in space, fostering employment, innovation, and dual-purpose technologies. It encourages international collaboration, responsible actions, security, and stability. It prevents conflicts, drives economic development, fosters global partnerships, and ensures ethical management of outer space resources. This policy safeguards citizens’ interests and promotes sustainable practices, promoting peace and peace in conflict-ridden areas.