The Combined Space Operations Principles Board met in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to discuss cooperation in space security.
The event comprised representatives from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the United States; with UK representation including the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Commander of UK Space Command, Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, and the Director of the MOD Space Directorate, Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth.
Defence leaders highlighted the importance of developing a shared understanding of the responsible uses of space, discussing opportunities for interoperability of space systems and exploring ways to enhance collaboration between Space Operations Centres – including the UK Space Operations Centre, located at RAF High Wycombe.
Space is integral to daily life, including communications, navigation, remote sensing, Earth observation, weather services and financial transactions, as well as modern, multi-domain military operations. Each of these services are intertwined with security, the stability of international systems, and the global economy.
Combined Space Operations Participants expressed concerns about Russia’s debris-generating anti-satellite test on 15th November 2021 and welcomed the establishment of the United Nation’s Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours. Combined Space Operations Participants called for all nations to refrain from conducting irresponsible testing which pollutes the space environment by generating debris, risks damaging space objects, and threatens the security of current and future space explorers.
