What Should U.S. Outer Space Policy Be?

TL;DR

The CFR report outlines a strategic plan for U.S. space governance.

Transcript

Well, good morning everybody, and welcome.  It is great to see you all here. We have a   full room here. I understand we have about 200  additional people who registered on Zoom. And this is being livestreamed. So thank you all for  participating and for joining us for this launch of our latest task force report, Securing Space:  A Plan for U.S. Ac... Read More

Key Insights

• The CFR task force report emphasizes the growing congestion in low Earth orbit, highlighting the proliferation of satellites and space debris, which increases collision risks.
• The report underscores the strategic importance of space for national security and daily life, given its role in GPS, communication, and military operations.
• China and Russia's advancements in anti-satellite capabilities pose significant threats to U.S. space assets, necessitating robust deterrence strategies.
• The task force recommends a U.S.-led international strategy to establish rules and governance for space activities, akin to existing frameworks for air and maritime domains.
• A proposed space summit aims to prioritize space in national policy, showcasing U.S. leadership and fostering international collaboration on space governance.
• The report suggests hardening U.S. space assets as a deterrence measure, while also exploring diplomatic and economic levers to prevent adversarial actions.
• Engagement with private sector companies is crucial for effective space traffic management, given their significant role in current space activities.
• The task force advocates for the inclusion of space systems as critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for coordinated cybersecurity measures.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main challenges in low Earth orbit according to the report?

The report identifies the main challenges in low Earth orbit as the increased congestion and risk of collisions due to the proliferation of satellites and space debris. This congestion is exacerbated by the growing number of countries and private companies launching space assets, which raises the likelihood of collisions and necessitates effective space traffic management.

Q: Why is space considered strategically important for the U.S.?

Space is strategically important for the U.S. because it underpins critical national security and civilian infrastructure. Space-based technologies are integral to GPS, communication systems, and military operations. The U.S. relies on space assets for intelligence gathering, missile warning, and global positioning, making their protection and governance a national priority.

Q: How do China and Russia pose threats to U.S. space assets?

China and Russia pose threats to U.S. space assets through their advancements in anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities. These countries have developed technologies that can potentially disrupt, damage, or destroy satellites, thereby threatening U.S. security and economic interests. The report highlights the need for the U.S. to develop deterrence strategies to counter these threats.

Q: What is the proposed space summit, and what are its objectives?

The proposed space summit is a recommendation to prioritize space in U.S. national policy. Its objectives include showcasing U.S. leadership in space, fostering international collaboration on space governance, and addressing the strategic challenges in space. The summit aims to bring together government, private sector, and international stakeholders to develop a coherent strategy for space management.

Q: How does the report suggest engaging with private sector companies?

The report suggests engaging with private sector companies by involving them in space governance and traffic management discussions. Given their significant role in current space activities, private companies possess valuable expertise and resources that can contribute to effective space management. The report advocates for collaborative efforts to address the challenges of congestion and debris in space.

Q: Why does the report recommend including space systems as critical infrastructure?

The report recommends including space systems as critical infrastructure to emphasize their importance to national security and the economy. Recognizing space systems as critical infrastructure would facilitate coordinated efforts to protect them from threats, including cybersecurity risks. This designation would also prioritize the allocation of resources and policy attention to safeguard these essential assets.

Q: What role does the report envision for international collaboration in space governance?

The report envisions international collaboration as essential for establishing effective space governance. It suggests that the U.S. lead efforts to develop international rules and agreements for space activities, similar to those for air and maritime domains. Collaboration with both allies and adversaries is necessary to ensure safe and sustainable use of space, addressing issues like traffic management and debris mitigation.

Q: How does the report address the issue of deterrence in space?

The report addresses deterrence in space by recommending the hardening of U.S. space assets to make them more resilient to attacks. It also suggests exploring diplomatic and economic measures to deter adversarial actions. The report highlights the importance of integrated deterrence strategies that leverage capabilities across different domains to prevent potential threats from materializing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The CFR task force report addresses the challenges in low Earth orbit due to increased human space activity, including the proliferation of satellites and space debris. It presents recommendations for a U.S.-led strategy to establish governance and mitigate collision risks.

• The report highlights the strategic importance of space for national security and daily life, with China and Russia's advancements in anti-satellite capabilities posing significant threats. It calls for robust deterrence strategies and international collaboration.

• A proposed space summit seeks to prioritize space in U.S. national policy, showcasing leadership and fostering international cooperation. The task force recommends engaging private sector companies and including space systems as critical infrastructure.