U.S. Strategic Command signs space data-sharing agreement with Israel

U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) recently entered into a new Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data-sharing agreement with Israel.

The arrangement, signed in April by the former USSTRATCOM Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David D. Thompson, and the Israel Ministry of Defense Head of Space Programs, Israeli Air Force Brig. Gen. (Res) Amnon Harari, will enable and enhance each nation’s awareness within the space domain and increase the safety of their spaceflight operations.

“U.S. Strategic Command is committed to improving our space situational awareness services and increasing our cooperation through formal partnerships such as these, especially as more countries, companies and organizations field space capabilities and benefit from the use of systems there,” said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander. “After all, we have a shared interest in acting responsibly, promoting transparency and enhancing the long-term sustainability, stability, safety and security of space.”

Israel joins eight nations, including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, France, Canada, Italy, Japan and Australia, and two international organizations, the European Space Agency and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, already participating in SSA data sharing with the United States.  Additionally, USSTRATCOM leaders have signed agreements with 49 commercial entities in 18 countries.

“This agreement places Israel together with other spacefaring nations, which see themselves as parties to the effort of sustaining the space environment for global stability and security; an effort which will also contribute to the national security of Israel,” said Harari.

SSA data-sharing agreements enhance multinational space cooperation and streamline the process for USSTRATCOM partners to request specific information gathered by its Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The information is crucial for launch support, satellite maneuver planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, electromagnetic interference reporting and investigation, satellite decommissioning activities and on-orbit conjunction assessments.