NATO hosted space industry representatives for a Commercial Space Forum at its headquarters in Brussels last week to discuss the sector’s potential opportunities, vulnerabilities, new risks and threats. The talks focused on areas including investment possibilities in cybersecurity and the sharing of information on space-based threats, such as GPS spoofing and satellite communication jamming.
The alliance said input from the forum will support next year’s drafting of the first NATO Commercial Space Strategy, which is envisioned to include provisions for the protection of industry partners.
The planned space strategy, an offshoot of NATO’s Washington summit in July, is designed to accelerate the development of new military technologies for alliance members, Defense News reported.
Tarja Jaakkola, NATO assistant secretary general for defense investment, stressed the importance of forging a “new relationship” between the military alliance and the commercial space sector. It allows both parties to learn from each other, enabling NATO to “support and harness the entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation essential to keep our defenses strong and effective,” she said.
In February, NATO held its first space industry day, drawing representatives from 21 member countries. During the event, Mircea Geoana, NATO deputy secretary general, underscored the importance of the space industry’s role in the alliance’s defense and security goals.
Do not miss the Potomac Officers Club’s GovCon International Summit on Oct. 10, which will feature a Breakout Fireside Chat on NATO In Space: The Shifting Landscape & The Role of Industry with Clayton Swope of CSIS and Rory Welch of Intelsat. Register now!