Contested Space Operations: Space Defense, Deterrence, and Warfighting
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At the request of the Joint Staff J-39 DDGO, SMA initiated a study in July 2017 to determine what are the options to assure that the capabilities the US military (and its partners) expect from US national security space will continue to provide a clear military advantage relative to the space-related capabilities available to potential adversaries.

Recognizing that space is already a contested joint operations domain and that US space assets are at risk, this effort addressed the advantages and disadvantages (rewards and risks) to the US of various space approaches and strategies. SMA assumed the following three multi-faced and mutually-reinforcing components: 1) cross-domain policy, strategy and signaling to deter attack on assets in space, that use space, and assets and terrestrial systems that include critical space components; 2) capability protection measures including hardening of satellites, resilience, and regeneration capabilities for space platforms and architectures, and employment of redundant, diverse sources of information services; and 3) the international “soft law” and “hard law” contexts and opportunities for US shaping and leadership.

Performers:

NSI, MITRE, ICONS University of Maryland, Intelligent Biology, University of MD START/DHS, George Mason University, Oklahoma State University, University of Alabama, Boeing Virtual Warfare Center, United Launch Alliance

The following is the list of reports completed in support of this effort. Reports and events can be accessed via the links provided

*Reports without a link can be requested by emailing mariah.c.yager.ctr@mail.mil from a .mil or .gov email address.

Summary Reports by NSI

ViTTa Reports by NSI

Discourse and Media Analyses by NSI, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Alabama

Concept Papers by NSI

Other Performer Reports by Intelligent Biology and University of Maryland/START/DHS

Modeling and Simulations by Boeing Virtual Warfare Center, MITRE, and George Mason University

SMA held a speaker series to support the Contested Space Operations effort. Links to the recorded events, when available, are below: