Security in Space

The United States has been engaged in multiple activities to enhance international stability and ensure the sustainability of space activities. This includes multilateral activities within the United Nations such ash the “Group of Government Experts” to study transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs) for outer space activities. The European Union has been leading talks on a possible international space code of conduct and the United States is supportive of the process. However, European efforts have not been successful in securing support from space powers such as India and Brazil, much less China and Russia. Codes and TCBMs cannot be a substitute for the capabilities necessary to deter potential adversaries and meet U.S. alliance commitments. In fact, the viability of any such codes may rely on the development of deterrence-related capabilities, for example space situational awareness to attribute hostile acts in space. The United States and its allies should take measures to improve the resilience of space systems across the spectrum of conflict. Improving resilience can consist of both “material” and “non-material” solutions. The former include measures such as hardening space and ground systems against physical and cyber attacks. The latter can include development of alternative means of mission performance, such as the use of allied or commercial systems.