Unity on space rules more important than ever

The international engagements that help to set rules, establish norms and promote responsible behaviour in space are central to advancing Defence’s space capabilities, according to Commander Space Command Major General Greg Novak.

CAPTION: Army’s Major Thomas Bittner briefs ADF Chief of Joint Capabilities Lieutenant General Susan Coyle in the Air Force Space Command Operations Centre during Exercise Pitch Black this year. Story by Ricky Bryan. Photo by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

He said space was an increasingly contested and congested domain.

“Some of the first rules about responsible use of space date back to the late 1960s. However, the pace of technology change and the growing number of state and commercial stakeholders operating in space means that responsible behaviours in space are now more important than ever,” Major General Novak said.

“One of the key multilateral space forums we contribute to alongside our like-minded international partners and allies is the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative.”

This year, CSpO celebrates 10 years of improving international cooperation, coordination and interoperability aimed at assuring space access and promoting security and stability in the space domain.

Over the decade, CSpO has grown to 10 partners: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States.

CAPTION: Defence Space Commander, Major General Gregory Novak, AM meets with Philippine Air Force Detachment Commander Colonel Randy Pascua during a Philippine detachment visit at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory, as part of Exercise Pitch Black 24. Photo by Leasing Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

Major General Novak said, in marking the anniversary, all CSpO member states remained aligned in their views on the importance of responsible space behaviours.

“In our recent CSpO Decennial statement, we reinforced the criticality of free and safe access to the space domain,” he said.

The Decennial statement put forward two clear principles:

• Space is integral to shared prosperity and security.
• Space systems and services require assured access and freedom to operate in space.

CSpO members also noted risks to the security and stability of space, with all members committing to ensuring the lawful and sustainable use of space, and the prevention of conflict.

“Throughout the past 10 years, CSpO has pursued collaborative efforts to meet rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities, and to deliver resilient, agile, secure and interoperable space capabilities,” Major General Novak said.

 

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