Space Acquisitions: Development and Oversight Challenges in Delivering Improved Space Situational Awareness Capabilities

Derelict satellites, equipment and other debris orbiting Earth (aka space junk) have been accumulating for many decades and could damage or even possibly destroy satellites and human spacecraft if they collide. During the past 50 years, various National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) communities have contributed significantly to maturing meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) programs to their current state. Satellites have been redesigned to protect critical components from MMOD damage by moving critical components from exterior surfaces to deep inside a satellite's structure. Orbits are monitored and altered to minimize the risk of collision with tracked orbital debris. MMOD shielding added to the International Space Station (ISS) protects critical components and astronauts from potentially catastrophic damage that might result from smaller, untracked debris and meteoroid impacts. Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Program examines NASA's efforts to understand the meteoroid and orbital debris environment, identifies what NASA is and is not doing to mitigate the risks posed by this threat, and makes recommendations as to how they can improve their programs. While the report identified many positive aspects of NASA's MMOD programs and efforts including responsible use of resources, it recommends that the agency develop a formal strategic plan that provides the basis for prioritizing the allocation of funds and effort over various MMOD program needs. Other necessary steps include improvements in long-term modeling, better measurements, more regular updates of the debris environmental models, and other actions to better characterize the long-term evolution of the debris environment.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the DoD space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up costs by billions of dollars, stretched schedules by years, and increased technical risks. To address the cost increases, DoD altered its acquisitions by reducing the number of satellites it intended to buy, reducing the capabilities of the satellites, or terminating major space systems acquisitions. Many space acquisitions are experiencing significant schedule delays resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as missile warning, military commun., and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: the status of space acquisitions; factors of acquisition problems; and efforts to improve acquisitions. Illus.

Embark on an enlightening journey through the vast expanse of space law and policy with “Space Environment and International Politics”. Authored by experts in the field, this comprehensive volume explores the intricacies of international space law, from the development of legal frameworks to the challenges posed by space debris and the regulation of space activities. Delving into the space policies of international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Space Agency, the book offers invaluable insights into efforts to ensure outer space security and foster sustainable space politics. Examining key issues surrounding space security and warfare, including cyber security threats and the militarization of space, the authors provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving geopolitical dynamics. With its meticulous research, insightful analysis, and balanced discussions, this book is an indispensable resource for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners navigating the complex terrain of international space law and politics. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring student, “Space Environment and International Politics” offers a captivating glimpse into the legal, political, and technological dimensions of politics beyond Earth. CONTENTS PREFACE CHAPTER I. INTERNATIONAL LAW AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW… Caner Akkaya and Ozan Örmeci LEGAL STATUS OF SPACE DEBRIS. Çağla Arslan Bozkuş and Volkan Bozkuş SPACE NEGOTIATIONS THROUGH THE LENSES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW Öncel Sençerman PEACEFUL AND NON-PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Tuba Taşlıcalı Koç CHAPTER II. SPACE POLICIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS UNITED NATIONS’ EFFORTS TO ENSURE OUTER SPACE SECURITY.. Doğan Şafak Polat NATO’s SPACE POLICY in the 2000s. Sibel Kavuncu EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGECY (ESA): REGULATION OF SPACE IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. Caner Akkaya and Cenap Çakmak CHAPTER III. STATES AND SUSTAINABLE SPACE POLITICS RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S SPACE SECURITY APPROACH.. Ahmet Sapmaz TüRKIYE’S STUDIES IN THE SPACE FIELD.. Hande Ortay DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE POLICY AND LAW IN TÜRKİYE.. Onur Sabri Durak EXAMINATION OF TÜRKİYE’S SPACE POLICIES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SUSTAINABILITY Çağlar Özer CHAPTER IV. SPACE SECURITY AND WARFARE CYBER SECURITY IN SPACE.. Serkan Gönen AN ASSESSMENT OF SPACE SECURITY: UNDERSTANDING SPACE THREAT VECTORS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MILITARY ASPECTS AND HUMAN SECURITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW… Nebile Pelin Mantı ASSESSMENT OF EXPANDING SECURITY INTO SPACE AND TRANSFORMING SPACE INTO A NEW WARFIGHTING DOMAIN: OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS. Murat Pınar and Soyalp Tamçelik MILITARY IMPORTANCE OF SPACE AND SPACE SECURITY.. Fuat İnce SPACE SECURITY PERCEPTIONS OF SPACEFARING NATIONS. Serap Gürsel EMERGING SPACE WARFARE TECHNOLOGIES AND SPACE AS A POSSIBLE THEATER OF WAR.. Serap Gürsel CHAPTER V. SPACE ENVIRONMENT AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS SPACE SECURITY THROUGH MAIN IR THEORIES. Burak Şakir Şeker POWER BALANCE IN THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT.. Burak Şakir Şeker SPACE AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. Mesut Şöhret SPACE DIPLOMACY AS A GLOBAL SECURITY MEASURE IN WEAPONIZATION OF OUTER SPACE.. Tolga Erdem CHAPTER VI. TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS, SOCIAL LIFE AND SPACE CULTURE NANO AND MICRO SATELLITES AS THE PILLAR OF THE ‘NEW SPACE’ PARADIGM Fuat İnce SATELLITE POLLUTION AROUND THE WORLD.. Hüseyin Çelik CONCEPTS AND MODELS OF DESIGN FOR URBANIZATION OF SPACE.. Ersan Koç IS INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY POSSIBLE IN THE SPACE?. Gökhan Alptekin