- The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) have signed a groundbreaking agreement called the Commercial Space Protection Tri-Seal Strategic Framework.
- The framework aims to facilitate real-time information sharing and threat mitigation strategies to protect commercial satellites, which are increasingly vital to national intelligence and defense.
Historic Agreement to Protect Commercial Satellites in an Increasingly Contested Space
Washington, D.C. September 5, 2023- In a move that marks a significant milestone for the aerospace industry, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) have inked a first-of-its-kind agreement. The Commercial Space Protection Tri-Seal Strategic Framework aims to safeguard commercial remote sensing space assets that are crucial to the nation’s intelligence collection mission.
A Collaborative Effort for Real-Time Threat Mitigation
Frank Avila, acting director of NGA Commercial Operations, emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, “Our commercial vendors give us the flexibility to strategically consider all available capabilities—whether government or commercial—to make sure we can get the right data to the right place at the right time.” This framework is the first comprehensive agreement between the intelligence community and USSPACECOM to include commercial vendors in the information-sharing process.
The Growing Importance of Commercial Satellites
The global commercial satellite industry has seen exponential growth, with hundreds of satellites launched in recent years and thousands more planned. These commercial satellites not only add resiliency to U.S. capabilities but also play a significant role in international conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine situation.
Preparing for a Contested Future
Pete Muend, director of NRO’s Commercial Systems Program Office, warned, “Space is an extremely contested environment, and it’s only getting more so.” The new framework addresses these concerns by defining roles and responsibilities in three critical areas: threat information sharing, anomaly investigation and response, and collection strategies.
Next Steps
Over the next six months, the three organizations will complete concepts of operations and standard operating procedures to implement the framework effectively.
