---
title: "Paper: Protect and Defend: Advancing a UK Space Architecture Based on Deterrence by Denial (2024)"
id: 71801
type: "post"
slug: "paper-protect-and-defend-advancing-a-uk-space-architecture-based-on-deterrence-by-denial-2024"
author: "NSE"
published: "2024-02-26T05:00:00+00:00"
modified: "2024-02-23T23:04:50+00:00"
canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2024/02/26/paper-protect-and-defend-advancing-a-uk-space-architecture-based-on-deterrence-by-denial-2024/"
markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2024/02/26/paper-protect-and-defend-advancing-a-uk-space-architecture-based-on-deterrence-by-denial-2024.md"
description: "The paper provides several policy recommendations tailored to each denial strategy for the UK Ministry of Defence to consider adopting."
language: "en-US"
category:
  - "Industry Reports, Papers And E-books"
  - "Launch Market"
  - "Socio-economic"
  - "Space Economy"
post_tag:
  - "Australia"
  - "Government"
  - "Military"
  - "OneWeb"
  - "Policy"
  - "Satellites"
  - "Strategy"
---

# Paper: Protect and Defend: Advancing a UK Space Architecture Based on Deterrence by Denial (2024)

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/paper-20-aleix-nadal-protect-and-defend-01-1.jpg?resize=696%2C984&ssl=1)

[Download document](https://www.kcl.ac.uk/warstudies/assets/paper-20-aleix-nadal-protect-and-defend.pdf)

## Synopsis

The paper argues that the UK should strengthen its deterrence by denial posture in space to protect its space-based assets and ensure freedom of action. Key points:

- Satellites play an increasingly critical role in enabling multi-domain military operations for the UK armed forces. However, threats like electronic warfare and cyber attacks challenge freedom of action in space.
- Deterrence by punishment relies on clear thresholds for retaliation which is difficult with sub-threshold threats. Deterrence by denial is better suited, focusing on resilient architectures to withstand and continue operations despite attacks.
- The UK has few legacy systems constraining its space architecture so it has an opportunity to design a resilient next-generation architecture incorporating lessons learned.
- Strategies discussed to enable deterrence by denial include:
  - Disaggregation: Separate missions across platforms and orbits to avoid single points of failure. Use Skynet for high priority missions and OneWeb’s LEO constellation for lower priority ones.
  - Diversification: Rely on allies like the US but also deepen partnerships with countries like Australia to provide redundant capabilities. Improve commercial relationships to access backup ISR data.
  - Proliferation: Add secondary payloads for niche in-orbit space domain awareness capabilities that the US lacks to increase bargaining power as a partner.
  - Reconstitution: Studies needed on responsive launch options suited to the eventual architecture chosen.
- An integrated deterrence strategy is needed encompassing both military and non-military tools across government.