DOD Announces the National Security Space Strategy

Yesterday, the Department of Defense announced the release of the National Security Space Strategy (NSSS), signed jointly by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

It is derived from the National Security Strategy and the National Space Policy and outlines necessary changes to enhance national security through DoD and intelligence community activities in space. It is the culmination of a lengthy and detailed Space Posture Review conducted in close consultation with other agencies and allies.

SECDEF Gates said "The National Security Space Strategy represents a significant departure from past practice. It is a pragmatic approach to maintain the advantages we derive from space while confronting the new challenges we face."

The NSSS is driven by an evolving strategic environment. Space is crucial for military operations and intelligence collection, but it is increasingly congested with satellites, orbital debris, and radiofrequency interference; contested by countries developing counterspace capabilities; and competitive with an increasing number of spacefaring countries and companies.

The NSSS will be implemented by updating guidance, plans, doctrine, programs, and operations to reflect the new strategic approach. The DoD's fiscal 2012 budget will contain initial steps toward implementing the strategy, and the department will use the coming year to lay the foundation for changes in fiscal 2013 and beyond. The new Defense Space Council, chaired by Secretary of the Air Force and Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space Michael Donley, will help oversee implementation.

"The strategy provides a basis to update defense plans and programs and make the hard choices that will be required to implement the strategy," Gates continued. "We look forward to working closely with Congress, industry, and allies to implement this new strategy for space."

Colonel "Whopper" Creedon of UNETIDA speaking from the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing And Space Sciences where he is currently "securing data" welcomes the DOD's new initiative. "Once the Air Force gets funding for anti-satellite tech we'll be able to knock all sorts of useless shit out of the stratosphere" smiled the Marine. "There's actually a french thingy I want to eliminate because it's making discoveries. Discoveries that the US have more of a right to make."