The Expanding Nexus between Space and Defence
The strategic character of space has been recognised worldwide already during the Cold War. Space and defence have continued to benefit from each other’s breakthroughs and know-how and this nexus has been constantly expanding in different ways. Space was born competitive, and has evolved to become an increasingly contested and congested environment. Moreover, satellites have become a critical infrastructure for the societies and economies on Earth. Space is the ultimate frontier for political, technological and industrial competition, with new scenarios regarding space operations led by dedicated military commands. US, China and Russia pursue competitive advantages in the space higher ground, exploiting also innovative digital technologies and dual-use approaches. NATO officially recognised space as operational domain, while the armed forces of US and major European allies are undertaking policy and organisational adjustments. The EU space programme has achieved significant results on Copernicus and Galileo, the former being particularly relevant for the armed forces’ navigation through its Public Regulated Service. Italy is a pillar of the European space framework, the second country in Europe for number of assets in orbit, the third largest contributor to European Space Agency and the home of a complete space value chain. Rome has recently introduced a new space governance, and upgraded the Minister of Defence structures dealing with space: a policy planning office and a space operations command. Building on a solid multi-layered base, Italy can enhance its role in space.
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Rome, IAI, February 2022, 109 p. -
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22|01
Executive summary, by Alessandro Marrone and Michele Nones
The strategic character of space
The new US military approach to space
Russia and China: West’s systemic rivals on orbits
NATO and its members: a space Alliance?
The new UK military approach to space
The European way to space: what strategic evolution?
The technology dimension and duality
Italy and space, a strong position to enhance
1. The new US military approach to space, by Karolina Muti
1.1 Evolution of the US military architecture for space domain integration
1.2 Space strategies: Trump and Biden
1.3 Military space doctrines and capabilities
1.4 Space sustainability, non-proliferation and arms control
1.5 Cooperation and partnerships
2. Russia and China: West’s systemic rivals on orbits, by Giancarlo La Rocca
2.1 Relaunching a global space power legacy: Russia’s approach to space
2.2 Space as continuation of politics with other means: The rise of China to the orbits’ elite
2.3 The Eastern approach to space: A vicious circle
3. NATO and its members: A space Alliance?, by Elio Calcagno
3.1 A new NATO Operational Domain
3.2 Berlin’s timid approach
3.3 France’s right to “active” defence
3.4 A Space Alliance?
4. The new UK military approach to space, by Elio Calcagno
4.1 The Brexit conundrum
4.2 A doctrine for space power and space control
4.3 The role of the private sector
4.4 A peculiar trajectory
5. The European way to space: What strategic evolution?, by Giancarlo La Rocca
5.1 A responsible actor, not a naïve power
5.2 Taking stock of the EU evolving approach to space, security and defence
6. Italy and space, a strong position to enhance, by Giancarlo La Rocca and Alessandro Marrone
6.1 Italy’s stellar track record
6.2 Crafting a whole-of-government approach
6.3 The military reorganisation and the Space Operations Command
6.4 Space in the Quirinale Treaty and Franco-Italian cooperation
6.5 A broad industrial landscape
6.6 A strategic set of technological capabilities
7. The technology dimension and duality, by Giancarlo La Rocca
7.1 Innovation and new space
7.2 Dual by nature and by application
7.3 Satellite communication, navigation and EO
7.4 In-Orbit Servicing and Active Debris Removal
8. Conclusions, by Alessandro Marrone and Michele Nones
8.1 Space: more strategic, competitive, congested and contested than ever
8.2 US, NATO, and a wake-up call for Europe and Italy
8.3 Ten recommendations for Italy
8.4 Space, the ultimate frontier
List of acronyms
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