JAPCC Flyer on Space May 2011
Introduction
Since the JAPCC’s creation in January 2005 an extensive eff ort
has been made to underline the role of Space and its link to
Air Power in our contemporary world. On March 23rd and
24th 2011, the JAPCC hosted the fi rst ACT Space Integrated
Project Team (IPT) meeting. This IPT gathered representatives
from NATO organisations and operational commands, the
nations and Space experts from civil and non-governmental
organisations. The IPT meeting started an intensive process to
draft a NATO Space Policy, road maps for a new Space structure,
an educational process and an urgent plan to address opera-
tional shortfalls. The JAPCC continues to investigate how to
assure access to the Space domain in an unpredictable world.
Therefore, the main objective of this fl yer is to address the main
challenges we are facing in further implementing strategic
conceptual ideas into operations.
NATO’s Challenges
Employing Air and Space power is founded on the ability to
build up a strong awareness of the environment and of all re-
lated human limits; this is the only way to reach a full conscious-
ness and a correct comprehensive approach. This is especially
true for Space Power which is still seen as far away from daily life.
Talking about Space capabilities, it may be too complex to
quibble about technological items like rockets (launchers),
satellites (single or constellations), or space-based ISR systems.
However, how many of our warriors must understand related
physical theories and apply them (like pilots do with Air Power)?
How would it be possible for our politicians, military leaders
and Commanders to understand the global dimension of
space challenges in order to explain and suggest the right
strategies and provide direction and guidance without the
right knowledge?
This is the reason why, with our particular project “Enhancing
NATO’s Space Capabilities”, we will underline the backbone
of the entire space system: education, as the most impor-
tant
capability, which must be based on strong and reliable
know ledge and awareness.
At the moment, NATO does not own Space capabilities and
relies on those belonging to a small number of Allied countries.
In addition, NATO has no “centralised” Coordination or Com-
mand & Control structure for Space. Therefore, requests for,
and releases of Space products and services are often tied
to national restrictions and bound by signifi cant costs. The
international scenery is changing and Space capabilities are
JAPCC Flyer
Edition 3
Every technological capability
has a common factor: it is ori gi-
nated and managed through
knowledge. Day by day, Space
capabilities gain relevance that
cannot be expertly exploited
without expert knowledge and
astrong educational process.
A wide awareness of Space is the
essential baseline to reach the
complete and secure domain of
this particular Global Common.
Enhancing NATO’s Space Capabilities …
an “Educational Blueprint”
© NASA
