Constellations’ Post

On 9 July 2024, in the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington D.C, United States, Defence Ministers from 17 NATO Nations came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to strengthening the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative. APSS is an essential space-based capability that supports NATO operations and improves intelligence sharing among Commands by accelerating the processes for receiving and analyzing data gathered from space-based sensors, operated by Nations and commercial providers. “The APSS initiative may be regarded as a game changer for NATO’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It will largely contribute to build NATO’s readiness and reduce its dependency on other intelligence and surveillance capabilities,” said NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) General Manager, Ludwig Decamps. “APSS is a perfect example of a one-NATO initiative with cross-entity coordination and cooperation. Today’s signature represents an important milestone in the development of the APSS programme and the further establishment of space as a domain, bringing major benefits to the Alliance as a whole.” Find out more: https://lnkd.in/d6xStFYy #NATO #NCIA #space #defence #military #technology #innovation #APSS

#Multi-Orbit #Satcom delivered! 🛰️ Exciting advancements in satellite communication under the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)! The program focuses on developing a SATCOM network that seamlessly integrates government, military, and commercial constellations and bandwidth. A key objective is to enable path-agnostic communications with resilient, low-latency broadband connectivity in Ku- and Ka-band #GEO, #MEO, and #LEO for encrypted and non-encrypted communications and data sharing. Raghu Janardhan, VP of special projects and defens programs Hughes explains AFRL policy is taking primary, alternate, contingency, emergency (PACE) communication planning concept “to another level”. Check out the details here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gE8sKzWU #SatelliteCommunication #AirForce #TechnologyAdvancements #USDOD #AFRL #USAF #USDON #USARMY

Strengthening Space Security: Insights from the NATO Space Operations Commanders' Conference: NATO Allies from 23 nations and partners, Australia and Japan, convened for the second NATO Space Operations Commanders' Conference at Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany on June 12-13, 2024. The conference, focused on Space Security and Space Warfare, underscored the importance of space as an operational domain for NATO since 2019. General James Hecker, Commander of Allied Air Command and Combined Force Space Component stressed the need for ongoing collaboration, cooperation, and information exchange to enhance space security. The NATO Space Operations Centre, staffed with a multinational team, coordinates Allied Space activities, supporting NATO missions by sharing critical information about potential threats. Colonel John Patrick highlighted the rapid evolution of space capabilities and technology, presenting both risks and opportunities. The conference, with over 100 participants, provided a platform to discuss key issues such as the Space Threat Environment, Security, and Policy. The interconnectedness of NATO Space Operations and the Artemis Accords strengthens these efforts. The Artemis Accords, guiding principles for space exploration and cooperation, align with NATO’s goals of ensuring the safe and peaceful use of space. By adhering to these accords, NATO and its partners reaffirm their commitment to transparency, interoperability, and responsible space use, crucial for both exploration and defense purposes. This coordinated approach ensures NATO can rapidly respond to emerging threats, promoting regional security and stability while advancing global space governance. https://lnkd.in/exTsgH_x #NATO #Space #SpaceOperations #SpaceExploration #SpaceDefense #ArtemisAccords

Dual-use tech opportunities are plenty. "But one area is a top priority for NATO: space domain awareness, meaning the monitoring of military and non-military activities in space." #nato #spacetech #space #dualuse #communication #monitoring #cybersecurity #artificialintelligence #techdevelopment #innovation #satellite

Guarding and preventing subsea cable attacks seems to be a daunting task. Academics eye developing system to reroute data to satellites in case of subsea cable attacks. #Starlink and #Amazon are employing narrow band lasers for satellite to satellite traffic transport and down/up links. Very interesting indeed! #subsea #telecom #telco #satcoms #satellitecommunications #security #nato #internetsecurity #internet #viasat

🛰 Why America's Investment in Space Is Crucial in the Global Arena 🛰 Recent developments in China's military organization have underscored the strategic importance of space and information domains in modern warfare. China has launched the People’s Liberation Army Information Support Force (ISF), replacing the Strategic Support Force that previously commanded space forces. This reorganization emphasizes information warfare, integrating space, cyber, electronic, and psychological operations, reflecting a shift towards prioritizing these capabilities. The U.S. must recognize the evolving landscape where space is not just a frontier for exploration but a critical battlefield. With China expanding its satellite reconnaissance and planning massive communication networks through mega-constellations, space technology is certainly central to modern military strategy and national security. Space innovation is not just about maintaining competitiveness; it's about safeguarding security in an era where information dominance can decide the outcomes of conflicts. The U.S. must enhance its space capabilities to protect its assets and counter potential threats effectively. Read more about China's reorganization below. #SpaceInvestment #NationalSecurity #USChinaRelations #MilitaryStrategy #SpaceForce https://lnkd.in/eKXW8zFS

Introduction: The Russian Serpukhov-15 Serpukhov-15, situated near Kurilovo in Kaluga Oblast, serves as a significant military townlet housing the western (Zapad) control center for Russia's Oko satellites. Commissioned in the late 1970s, Serpukhov-15 was equipped with advanced signal processing technologies. Its capabilities enabled the Soviet Union to monitor and interpret electronic communications from its adversaries, providing invaluable insights into their military activities, technological developments, and communication networks. These satellites play a crucial role in providing early warning of ballistic missile launches, primarily from the continental United States. Operated as part of the Main Centre for Missile Attack Warning, information gathered at Serpukhov-15 is processed at the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces center in Solnechnogorsk. The ELINT operations conducted at Serpukhov-15 played a crucial role in Soviet military strategy and decision-making during the Cold War. By intercepting and analyzing electronic signals, the facility contributed to Soviet efforts in understanding the capabilities and intentions of NATO forces, as well as those of other geopolitical adversaries. This data, combined with inputs from early warning radars like the Voronezh system, supports capabilities such as launch-on-warning readiness for the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system. A similar installation, Pivan-1, is located in the Russian Far East (Vostok). The designation "Serpukhov-15" follows the tradition of naming closed cities and military facilities. It derives from its proximity to Serpukhov in Moscow Oblast, approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) away. This naming convention ensures operational security and confidentiality typical of sensitive military installations in Russia. The facility's legacy underscores the importance of advanced signal intelligence capabilities in geopolitical strategy and Russia's Ballistic missile defense capabilities. The facility's operations were conducted with utmost confidentiality, shielded from foreign intelligence agencies and the public eye. Following the end of the Cold War, details about Serpukhov-15 and its ELINT operations began to surface, providing insights into its significant role in Cold War-era espionage and intelligence gathering. Related Note: As I have stated in my paper " The Mechanics of Spaceborne Warfare Series" Russia's modernization toward the A-235 system is well underway and we will be witnessing a shift in the Russian approach towards ELINT and Spaceborne capabilities. Introduction to the Mechanics of Spaceborne Warfare Series: [ https://lnkd.in/gzEnnNw6 ] This facility is still used to this day, undergoing modernization and development. ELINT is a crucial part of the signals intelligence operations. The approach of the United States in Spaceborne warfare has always been superior but it's time to surpass symmetrical perspectives.

AscendArc has raised $4 million in funding and secured a $1.8 million U.S. Air Force contract to develop small, mass-produced geostationary satellites. The company claims its satellites offer a tenfold reduction in cost per megabit per second compared to traditional GEO satellites, making them a cost-effective alternative to fiber and microwave in rural areas. AscendArc is targeting both commercial and military markets, with its satellites designed to meet U.S. Department of Defense encryption, anti-jamming, and secure communication requirements. #SpaceFunding #Satellites #InsideSpace

Airbus to provide UK Ministry of Defence with next-generation satellite modems These state-of-the-art modems will enhance the UK’s satellite communication capabilities, offering higher security, resilience, and operational efficiency for defense operations worldwide. This collaboration highlights Airbus’s expertise in delivering advanced communication technologies for critical missions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGw_5AGd #aerospace #spaceindustry #spacetechnology #satellitetechnology #defense #defenseindustry