War in Space

Professor Stephen Freeland, an expert in space law, dives into the surprisingly structured world of legal frameworks in outer space. He dispels the myth of a lawless frontier, explaining existing multilateral treaties that regulate space activities. Discussions cover the role of national laws in supporting private ventures and the challenges posed by rising space debris. Freeland highlights the imperative for international cooperation and the MILAMOS project, which seeks to define military regulations in space, ensuring a peaceful and sustainable cosmic environment.

Join John Janka, Chief Officer of Global Government Affairs at Viasat, as he dives into the pressing challenges of space sustainability. He explores the growing threat of Kessler syndrome, where overcrowded orbits could spell disaster for future missions. The discussion highlights the clash over orbital resources among companies and stresses the need for international collaboration. Janka also emphasizes a data-driven approach to mitigate space debris and ensure safe satellite operations, revealing the complexities of navigating our increasingly congested cosmos.

Dr. John Klein, a space strategy expert and adjunct professor, dives into the complexities of warfare in space. He discusses how concepts like irregular and hybrid warfare apply to this new frontier. The conversation highlights historical lessons shaping modern strategies and the nuances of gray zone tactics. Klein also emphasizes the need for tailored deterrence methods amidst global competition, particularly among major powers. Lastly, he explores the blending of conventional and unconventional strategies that could define future conflicts in space.

The Skynet Satellite Communications Programme is the UK's biggest space project; having started in the 1960s, it is currently in its sixth generation. Dr Richard Davis, Programme Director of Skynet 6 at UK Strategic Command, joins us to discuss what makes the current generation different from its predecessors, what the future of the programme may look like, and the organisational structures it falls under.

Space-enabled communications are vital to modern military operations. But it's not just the military that benefits from satellite communications; it's also governments, doctors and other emergency first responders. Rory Welch, Head of Global Government at IntelSat, discusses the various applications of satellite communications, as well as how the service is already woven into Multi-Domain Integration. We also consider the potential threats to satellite communications systems and ask what consequences have already resulted from the war in Ukraine.

Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command and an expert in air and space operations, dives into the critical role of air superiority in the Ukraine conflict. He discusses how Ukraine's innovative military strategies and NATO's evolving tactics emphasize the necessity of multi-domain integration. Stringer highlights lessons learned and the importance of incorporating commercial capabilities into military operations for enhanced effectiveness. He also analyzes Russian strategic missteps, pointing out the complexities of modern warfare.

Compared to the likes of the US, Russia and China, India's place among the preeminent space powers is often forgotten, despite its rich history in the domain dating back to the 1950s. Dr Namrata Goswami, Professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, shares with us her research into India's space diplomacy, its capabilities and its new space policy, in which commercialisation plays a key role. We also discuss planned defence space capabilities and India's stance on the future utilisation of space resources.

Russia was the first nation to enter space with satellite 'Sputnik' in 1957. Now, however, the Russian space industry seems to struggle to even maintain its current constellations, let alone contribute to future growth. Further, Russian troops do not seem adequately trained to integrate with space capabilities. Anna Maria Wårlind from the Swedish Defence Research Agency shares with us insights from her open source report on Russian space capabilities. We discuss the state of Russia's PNT, ISR and SATCOM capabilities and to what extent these have already been used during the invasion of Ukraine.

Tim Marshall, author of the Prisoners of Geography series, joins us to discuss the geopolitics of space – ‘astropolitics’. But what is astropolitics exactly? And in the geography of space, what are the most contested areas? Marshall talks to us about why the South Pole of the Moon could be of future economic importance, and why commercial entities are now major players in this area.

Is the UK taking the space threat seriously? How does one protect space assets from threats and balance reliance on commercial providers with the ’price point’ and broader financial burdens inherent in sovereign infrastructures? Nik Smith, Regional Director UK & Europe at Lockheed Martin Space, talks to us about space threats, lessons from Ukraine, and why the government delivering on space is important for both the public and industry.