Elara Nova: The Space Consultancy’s Post

The Space Foundation’s annual assessment shows that the global space economy hit $570 billion in 2023, a 7.4 percent increase over 2022’s $531 billion — with worldwide military space spending jumping a whopping 18 percent to $57 billion.

"...the global space economy hit $570 billion in 2023, a 7.4 percent increase over 2022’s $531 billion — with worldwide military space spending jumping a whopping 18 percent to $57 billion." 🛡️This substantial growth underscores the escalating importance of space in #nationalsecurity and defense strategies worldwide. With advancements in satellite technology, space situational awareness, and space traffic coordination and management, nations are prioritizing their investments to safeguard their interests beyond our planet. 🌍As we witness this rapid evolution, it's crucial to consider the implications for #spacesustainability and the peaceful use of outer space. Collaborative efforts and robust policy & legal frameworks are more vital than ever to ensure that space remains a safe and secure environment for all. #spacesafety #spacesecurity

America 250 HISTORY The U.S. SPACEFORCE turns 5 years old! The U.S. Space Force was established Dec. 20, 2019, when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law (with bi-partisan support), creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years.  The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that Space was a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by near-peer competitors in space, it became clear there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain.  For the last 60 years space capabilities have become essential to the way a modern military conducts operations. Investments in space capabilities have increased the effectiveness of operations in every other domain.  The U.S. military is faster, better connected, more informed, precise, and lethal because of space. The same premise—that space is critical—holds true for the average American; space capabilities are woven into the fabric of daily life.  Satellites connect people in every corner of the globe, monitor weather patterns, carry television broadcasts, and the timing and navigation services of the GPS constellation power global financial networks, enable international commerce, synchronize cell phone networks, and optimize critical infrastructure.  Access to and freedom to operate in space underpins our national security and economic prosperity. However, space is no longer free from conflict. Potential adversaries are seeking ways to deny the U.S. access to the space capabilities fundamental to our way of war and modern way of life. They have developed an array of threats, both on Earth and in orbit, that continue to grow in scope, scale, and complexity.  Today, the Guardians of the USSF have been called to protect and defend American interests and to ensure our forces, our allies, and the world never experience a day without space. They serve across the globe, working 24/7 to design, acquire, field, test, operate, and defend the critical space systems the nation, and the world, rely upon.

We can’t afford to do everything we want/need to do in space alone. The DOD must/will rely on contributions for Allies/Partners, industry and academia to ensure our access to space. ““The threat is also coming in the near term, not in the far term. So that means I don’t have time to go off and build a lot of new capability,” said Guetlein. “If you look at the DOD way of the past, we would say we needed to build the capability and own the capability. … That’s all changing. I can’t build enough capability fast enough to get after the near-term threat.” To address the issue, the Space Force is looking to create what it calls “hybrid architectures” of military, commercial, and allied satellites that all feed data into one system, Guetlein said.”

Space Force to industry: Prove value of new commercial space services Lt. Gen. Bratton: “We talk a lot about space refueling, but we don’t really know what the case is for its military utility” - The bottom line is “where are we willing to put our money?” he added. To answer that, “we’re trying to understand what’s possible from commercial. What makes a good business case for them?” - https://lnkd.in/eAx9R5Hu

In the West, ties between space and defense are strengthening https://lnkd.in/eFXn4nRz

This is the right approach. Years ago, I wrote a blog about the Maginot Line in Space and the danger of expensive systems that are targets for cheaper satellites. A proliferated, disaggregated system including hosted payloads on LEO and GEO is the right answer. By presenting a resilient fabric, you reduce the risk of attack because the threat is incapable of achieving their desired effects and will use a different strategy. #space #resilient #defense

The U.S. Space Force is focusing on preparing for potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region over the next few years. Follow us for the latest news updates ➡️ Global Defense Online https://lnkd.in/e4NvsBEr

The article “US Space Force Warns of ‘Mind-Boggling’ Build-Up of Chinese Capabilities” highlights remarks by General Chance Saltzman, head of U.S. Space Operations, about China’s rapid development of space-based military capabilities. Saltzman warned that China’s advancements in various types of space weaponry are occurring at a concerning pace, significantly elevating the risk of potential conflict in orbit. He described the expansion of China’s space capabilities as “very threatening,” underscoring the scale and speed of this military build-up. During a European tour aimed at increasing awareness about the threats in space, Saltzman emphasized the importance of international cooperation to counter the strategic risks posed by China and Russia. He noted that both nations have demonstrated advanced warfare capabilities in space over the last two decades, which contributed to the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in 2019. This military branch was created to protect U.S. interests in space, recognizing the growing threat of space as a potential theater of warfare. Saltzman pointed out that the U.S. Space Force’s mission goes beyond defensive operations, including deterrence through alliances and collaborations with European partners. His visit aimed to encourage allied countries to strengthen their own space defense capabilities, fostering a unified approach to mitigating threats from nations like China and Russia. The Space Force views these partnerships as essential in establishing a strategic deterrence posture that can prevent potential hostilities in orbit. In summary, the U.S. Space Force’s concerns reflect the evolving dynamics of space as a military domain, with China’s accelerated capability development posing a substantial threat to the stability of space operations. Saltzman’s call for allied collaboration underscores the urgency of establishing robust deterrence and defense mechanisms to protect against increasingly sophisticated space warfare tactics. The article illustrates the critical importance of international alliances in addressing these emerging threats to global security.

🌌 Understanding the U.S. Space Force: A Modern Military Frontier Key Highlights: 🔹Historical Roots: The United States Space Force's origins date back to the 1950s, evolving from Cold War-era military initiatives. 🔹Primary Functions: Tracking orbital objects, ensuring military communications, maintaining GPS systems, and conducting defensive and offensive space operations. 🔹Organizational Structure: Comprising three main field commands: Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). 🔹Technological Integration: Leveraging commercial sector innovations for new satellite constellations and responsive launch systems. 🔹Future Challenges: Addressing geopolitical competition, particularly with China, and the potential militarization of cislunar space. What do you think are the most critical challenges the Space Force will face in the next decade ❓ Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e6KfUix7 #SpaceForce #NationalSecurity #SpaceExploration #Geopolitics #Technology