Synopsis
The document “Space Policy Review and Strategy on Protection of Satellites” is a report submitted in compliance with the reporting requirements contained in Section 1611 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and Section 1602 of the NDAA for FY 2023. The report provides a review of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) space policy and describes its approach to protecting and defending space systems and protecting the Joint Force from adversary hostile use of space.
The report highlights the growing threats to space operations, particularly from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. Both countries are developing, testing, and fielding counterspace systems to degrade or deny U.S. space-based services, which are critical to overall military effectiveness across all domains.
To address these threats, the report outlines the DoD’s national security objectives relating to space, which include defending national security interests from growing counterspace threats, protecting and defending critical systems, leveraging new commercial space capabilities and services, and demonstrating leadership in the responsible use of space and stewardship of the space environment.
The report also discusses the DoD’s approach to deterring, responding to, and countering threats to the space operations of the United States and its allies and partners. This includes transitioning to more resilient national security space architectures, strengthening the ability to detect and attribute hostile acts in space, and protecting the Joint Force from adversary hostile uses of space.
In addition, the report emphasizes the importance of cooperation with allies, partners, industry, and other U.S. Government departments and agencies to enhance the resilience of space architectures and deter aggression in space.