Synopsis
The report “Time to Designate Space Systems as Critical Infrastructure” highlights the increasing importance of space systems for national security and economic prosperity. The authors argue that the current approach to safeguarding space systems is insufficient and recommend designating space systems as a critical infrastructure sector. This would lead to a more coherent whole-of-government approach to strategy, policy, programs, and resources, as well as signal to actors inside and outside of the government that space security and resilience is a top priority.
The report recommends the following actions:
- Designate space systems as a critical infrastructure sector, with NASA as the lead Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA).
- Allocate, authorize, and appropriate supplemental funding to NASA to allow it to successfully take on the responsibilities of lead SRMA for the space systems sector.
- Marshal and organize the commercial space community to play an instrumental role in the governance of the space systems sector to enhance security and resilience.
- Create a co-led risk management enterprise, with an enhanced model of public-private partnership under which the risk management enterprise is genuinely co-led.
By designating space systems as a critical infrastructure sector, the U.S. government can better protect these vital assets and ensure continued leadership in the space domain.