Pentagon is certain that space will be key to future conflicts

The current global landscape is marked by increasing volatility. Accompanying that volatility, the U.S. is no longer the only nation that has substantial space capabilities. This makes continuing to foster cutting-edge space capability in the interest of the U.S and all of its allies. With significant capability in the commercial space sector, the CASR program is one of the programs that can tap the commercial innovation and capabilities in space and foster continued innovation. In tapping commercial innovation, it’s important to recognize the significant space contributions available from U.S. allies.

And the U.S. clearly recognizes this: the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) collaborates with the national space operations centers or headquarters of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The CASR program can be a meaningful step forward for the U.S. towards developing commercial space capabilities and a cost-efficient surge capability should the need arise.

It’s in the interest of all allied countries and believers in freedom to commend the Pentagon for this strategic shift. By engaging with the commercial space sector from both domestic suppliers and our allies, it’s highlighting the importance of space in any future conflict, and the role it has to play in shoring up U.S. military and technological superiority. The CASR initiative also exemplifies the forward-thinking approach that has helped the U.S. military to become what it is today.

Jeff Huggins is president of Cailabs US Inc., a supplier of photonics products for the space industry.