SPA

Support to Precursor SSA Services

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC) is proposing its expertise in handling, analysing and disseminating data and derived products within the highest security standards and mission critical cycles to contribute through the SPA (Support to Precursor SSA services) study to the technical definition of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) services and to participate to the validation of critical precursor SSA services:

• Satellite conjunction warning; • Satellite over-flight alerts; • and Space debris re-entry prediction. In order to perform the SPA study, the EUSC proposes to host at a class II security area within its already existing premises a copy of a SSA system to be developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The EUSC could be tested as a hub to exchange secure information with SSAs’ stakeholders, testing possible technical implementation models of the governance / data policy to be developed by the European Union (EU) and ESA.

The final output of the SPA supporting action will be a study report summarising the gained knowledge, including lessons learned, on SSA during the execution of the SPA study and recommendations in view of further development of SSA in Europe, particularly on the technical aspects of its Governance and Data Policy.

SSA refers to the knowledge of location and function of space objects and space environment, including operational satellite, space debris, near earth objects and space weather. The development of a European system will underpin the exploitation of space assets, a key capability contributing to autonomous access to space for the EU (as requested by the European Space Policy, drawing on existing capabilities and infrastructures at national as well as European level).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Satellites and space debris in space must be closely monitored to maintain security and ensure seamless communication technology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Space around the Earth is much busier than it seems. There are satellites roaming the skies, hovering space debris, strange weather phenomena and high-tech communication airwaves all creating a congested space environment. The importance of space for communications, geospatial navigation, defence and environment has prompted the EU to enhance its space situation awareness (SSA). One of the ways it has done so is through the EU-funded project 'Support to precursor SSA services' (SPA).

The project developed European SSA capabilities to better manage and exploit space assets in line with the European Space Policy, strengthening both security and the economy. It mapped knowledge on the topic to produce recommendations for advancing SSA, particularly as related to policy and governance issues.

SPA also established a forum on the topic and emphasised key issues to stakeholders through workshops and presentations. It conducted numerous modelling scenarios and exercises involving orbit determination, in addition to analysing data from key SSA surveillance and tracking sensors.

Much of the project's work has helped advance the European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC) by providing over-flight information on satellites to better plan image acquisition. Indeed, the main goals of the project have been to facilitate space surveillance as well as the tracking of man-made and near-Earth objects such as comets. SPA was also designed to enhance environmental monitoring, in addition to monitoring and forecasting space weather, which yields valuable information for space missions.

Balancing sensitive information that is both civil and military in nature, the project produced concrete findings on SSA requirements to support security and advance policymaking. It also studied the economic and strategic importance of space, as well as the legislative framework of SSA in Europe.

All these findings, outcomes and recommendations will help enhance national security and sovereignty, supporting SSA activities, and helping to introduce new services that promote the well-being of EU citizens. The project has underlined the importance of having 'security in space from space', safeguarding space assets and satellite-based services while ensuring the sustainability of space. This initiative will undoubtedly help secure the future of SSA in Europe.