Security Concerns Related to Smallsats, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and Space Traffic Management (STM)

Abstract

The strategic uses of outer space are today quite diverse and continue to grow in scope (i.e., diversity of defense-related applications) and scale (i.e., size of operations and funded activities). These strategic activities in space include: (i) tracking capabilities on the ground and by satellite of all trackable space objects in Earth orbit and the ability to track all new launches into space including missiles (i.e., space situational awareness capabilities); (ii) deployment and operation of space precise navigation and timing systems that can be used for targeting and deployment of weapons systems as well as space communications and meteorological systems to meet national defense operations; (iii) deploying and operation of space systems that can detect explosion of nuclear weapons systems; (iv) procedures, limitations, and operational standards related to rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) and protections against attacks on strategic assets in orbit; and (v) conducting research on new space systems and technology of possible use in future defense-related systems such as on-orbit servicing, space debris removal or repurposing, lower cost launching systems, new data monitoring capabilities and facility optimization and inventory operations via satellite-IoT messaging, etc. Many of these space systems and technology involve the deployment and use of what might be considered conventional space systems, but in a number of instances, this might also require the development of small satellite constellations, the use of hosted payloads, or concerns about orbital debris that could result from small satellite constellations. Such requirements are components of space security planning and implementation processes. This chapter, in particular, explores the issues of security-related space situational awareness as well as planning for future space traffic management systems, particularly as this relates to small satellite systems and in some cases hosted payload systems. Today, many countries around the world with active space programs and space security activities are concerned with improved space situational awareness activities and are planning for future space traffic management systems. There are activities in these areas underway in China, Europe, India, Japan, Russia, as well as several other countries with evolving space programs. Nevertheless, for several historical reasons such as the United States’ major role in conducting space situational awareness operations and sharing this data with allies, this is an area where the United States’ activities have largely dominated, particularly since the end of the so-called “Cold War.” This situation has been further shaped by the 2018 activities of the United States to issue publicly the U.S. Space Policy Directive-3. This is not to say that there have not been increasing activities being planned or implemented in such areas as noted above. Further, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has had an activeWorking Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTSOSA) that developed and received approval of 21 new guidelines that in a number of instances touch on areas related to space situational awareness (SSA) and issues that concern space traffic management (STM). This chapter seeks to address current concerns that come from the deployment of many new large-scale satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and polar orbit and how these changes will impact the need for improved space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities and enhanced means of space traffic management (STM) in the years ahead. It notes the ways that commercial satellite systems and governmental and security-related satellite networks are interrelated and how this might complicate the way forward to safe space operations and could also lead to heightened concerns with orbital space debris.