Experts from The Aerospace Corporation, allied nations and the private sector gathered recently during NATO’s Commercial Space Forum to discuss a shared vision of shaping commercial collaboration for the future of space. The participants also focused on establishing a framework for NATO’s first Commercial Space Strategy, which is expected to be released in 2025.
NATO is recognizing the opportunity to enhance integration of commercial and government-owned capabilities, building stronger commercial partnerships to ensure peace in Europe.
Aerospace’s Commercial Space Futures (CSF) Office led a policy and strategy focused session that covered unclassified decision-making processes, policy and regulation topics. The Allied Commercial Space Tabletop Exercise (TTX) included over 10 NATO staff members in participation and 30 NATO member countries present. The exercise informed the NATO Defense Investment Division on how it can strengthen its relationship with the commercial sector.
“The exercise highlighted the desire and necessity to work with like-minded Allies and industry partners early on,” said Kara Hernandez, International Commercial Analyst in CSF. “Together, Allies can leverage the commercial sector to augment or supplant current capabilities. However, NATO and the individuals Allies must modernize and streamline some of their policies, regulations, and international cooperation agreements involving the commercial space sector to leverage the best Allied commercial sector has to offer to meet operational challenges in the future.”
Aerospace Experts Weigh In
As the operator of the only Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) dedicated to the space enterprise, Aerospace is uniquely positioned to provide the technical leadership, trusted partnership, and objective guidance needed to support the nation and allied space leaders in navigating the shifting commercial space landscape.
“This event has proved to be invaluable to help NATO frame their organization's growing interest in understanding the benefits and challenges of integrating commercial space capabilities into their defense strategies,” said Ryan Conroy, Assistant Principal Director in CSF. “Furthering engagement with US stakeholders like the intelligence community, Air Force, and USSF on the importance of cooperation between government agencies and the commercial space sector.”
Aerospace produced the TTX scenario to demonstrate its ability to guide thought leadership within the international and commercial space ecosystem, helping NATO member countries understand how to transform their relationship with the commercial space sector and enhance the integration of commercial and government-owned capabilities.
CSF worked across the Aerospace enterprise including subject matter experts (SME) from Aerospace's Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS), Civil Systems Group (CSG), and Economic and Market Analysis Center (EMAC) to design the TTX scenario with various ‘moves’. These ‘moves’ leveraged Aerospace knowledge and experience with customers, informing NATO and Allies undergoing similar efforts to harness the commercial space ecosystem. The TTX scenario focused on unclassified decision-making processes, policy, and regulation topics, enabling participants to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in integrating commercial space capabilities.
Partnering for the Future
Aerospace continues pursuing avenues to leverage commercial space throughout its government partnerships, helping the US and its allies address the hardest problems. Commercial space capabilities now hold an expanding role in future national architectures and solutions therefore utilizing partnerships with commercial space is essential for the expansion of US space leadership.
“Across the space ecosystem, we are seeing greater technological advancements and increased disruption with new launch vehicles, proliferated constellations, and computing capabilities,” said Hernandez. “It is incumbent on Aerospace to help our customers successfully navigate these exciting times, harness the promise of commercial offerings, and manage and mitigate the new risks and challenges that are emerging.”
