JAPCC Flyer on NATO’s Space Operations Iceberg December 2013
Currently, NATO lacks a common understanding or consistent
use of the term ‘NATO Space Operations’. Today, discussions
about NATO Space Operations are commonly reduced to
purely focusing on the Space segment (e.g. Command and
Control (C2) of satellites), and often neglect the ground, user
and link segments. This may be largely due to a lack of know-
ledge or due to political sensitivities associated with the topic.
Whatever the reason, it is dangerous to approach this subject
with a narrow focus.
The Iceberg Phenomenon
To illustrate the danger of this lack of a holistic understanding,
consider the analogy of the ‘iceberg phenomenon’, where
approximately ten per cent of the iceberg’s volume is visible
above the waterline. Consequently, we have no, or only limited
know ledge of, what is beneath the waterline. We can apply
this analogy to the complex system of Space Operations: the
tip represents the current narrow focus on the Space segment,
and the looming danger beneath the waterline represents the
current lack of a unified, collective understanding of the other
assets of NATO Space Operations and the potential threats
to them. Today, Space products and services are seamlessly
integrated into NATO military operations and indeed have
changed its thinking and behaviour. No commander likes the
idea of leading an operation without satellite communi cations,
satellite pictures, weather forecasts, GPS for position, navi-
gation and timing, or the ability to operate MALE / HALE UAVs
1
.
However, this is exactly what may happen if members across
NATO do not have a common understanding or approach to
all the elements which comprise Space Operations; this is the
NATO Space ‘Operations Iceberg’.
NATO and Space
Although NATO no longer owns satellites
2
and does not exer-
cise C2 of any satellite, NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance
(AGS) and the International Security Assistant Force (ISAF)
demon strate how Space capabilities support NATO combat
operations. This is made possible through Space products and
services provided by NATO member countries. Additionally,
JAPCC Flyer
Edition 10
Does NATO conduct Space Oper-
ations? This is a question that
currently divides NATO. NATO
owns Space assets, acquires
Sat com bandwidth and uses na-
tional Space products and ser-
vices. Al though the AJP-3.3(A) –
Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and
Space Operations exists, NATO
lacks a common understanding
of Space Operations or a holistic
approach with respect to Space.
Furthermore, NATO lacks the
awareness that it does in fact,
conduct Space Operations.
NATO Space ‘Operations Iceberg’ –
Looming Danger of a Non-holistic Approach
© leonello calvetti / shutterstock
Space Assets
•
Ground control segment
(e.g. 10 static Satellite Ground Terminals)
•
User segment (e.g. mobile Satcom Terminals)
•
Link between the segments
•
Space segment (e.g. satellites)
