Space Security Index

Space Security 2011
82
2010 Development
National and international space bodies continue to expand and grow in numbers
ESA signed cooperation agreements with Slovenia 42 and Slovakia 43 on 22 January and
28 April, respectively. e agreements laid down the principles and plans for a more
consolidated relationship with ESA, and included the development of a Plan for European
Cooperating State Charter that describes activities, projects, and budgets. On 15 December,
ESA renewed its partnership in space science and technology with Canada, eectively
extending this relationship until 2020. 44 ESA and Canada will continue to pursue joint
projects focusing primarily on space applications such as Earth observation, GMES, and
satellite-based navigation, including Galileo. 45
During 2010, several countries ocially established national space agencies. On 23 March,
the U.K. launched the U.K. Space Agency. 46 It ts into the broader Space Innovation and
Growth Strategy that is expected to lead Britain from a position where it currently claims
6 per cent of the global market in space products and services to a position in 2030 when
it hopes to claim 10 per cent. 47 On 9 December, the South African National Space Agency
(SANSA) was ocially unveiled by the country’s minister of science and technology. 48
However, it was also announced that the agency, which will cost South Africa approximately
$68.7-million a year, will not be fully operational until 2012. 49
In April, Mexico’s Congress approved the creation of a national space agency, Agencia Espacial
Mexicana, with an initial budget of $800,000; the projected annual budget is $8-million. 50
Bolivia announced plans to launch, with Chinese assistance, its rst communications satellite
and the creation of the Bolivian Space Agency, which will operate out of La Paz and have an
initial budget of $1-million. 51
Space Security Impact
The increasing globalization of space technology has led not only to the diversification
of suppliers and customers for space applications, but also to a sharp reduction in entry
barriers to the space domain for many nations. As the number of space actors able to access
space increases, more parties have a direct stake in the need to ensure the sustainability
of space activities and preserve this domain for peaceful purposes. However, more space
actors means greater overcrowding of space orbits and greater strain on such scarce space
resources as orbital slots and radio frequencies. In a more crowded environment, the risk of
accidental interference with space assets goes up. Even though the development of civilian
space applications is driven mostly by economic development aspirations and public safety
considerations, the spread of launch capabilities could exacerbate regional tensions.
Trend 4.2: Civil space programs continue to prioritize
scientific missions and exploration
Space agencies
e main U.S. agency that deals with civil space programs, NASA, is in charge of mission
design, integration, launch, and space operations, while also conducting aeronautics and
aerospace research. NASA’s work is carried out through four interdependent directorates: 52
Aeronautics develops and tests new ight technologies; Exploration Systems creates capabilities
for human and robotic explorations; Science undertakes scientic exploration of the Earth
and Solar System; and Space Operations provides critical enabling technologies as well
as support for spaceight. While much of the operational work is carried out by NASA