Professional Documents
Culture Documents
20220120-UK Defence Space Strategy Feb 22
20220120-UK Defence Space Strategy Feb 22
Operationalising the
Space Domain
February 2022
Ministerial Foreword 4
Executive Summary 5
1. Context 9
Space – An Operational Domain 9
Threats and Hazards 10
International Allies and Partners 12
Industry and Commercial Ventures 13
2. Strategic Intent 16
Construct 16
Cross-Cutting Principles 17
Strategic Themes 18
3. Strategic Theme 1 Protect and Defend 19
4. Strategic Theme 2 Enhance Military
Operations 22
5. Strategic Theme 3 Upskill and Cohere 25
6. Capability Management 28
Approach 28
Defence Space Portfolio 29
Priorities 30
7. Governance 33
Hierarchy 33
Ministerial
Foreword
The importance of space to Defence is The UK has also long been at the forefront
irrefutable. It affords us operational of building international consensus for
advantage against potential adversaries measures to avoid an arms race in space
and, as a nation, we depend on it for and has achieved success in pursuit of this
resilience and our way of life. The recent goal. As in other domains, it is vital that we
publication of the UK’s first integrated continue to work within key alliances,
National Space Strategy and this Defence including international partners, industry and
Space Strategy reflects our commitment to academia, to achieve success and make the
ensuring the UK maintains freedom of most of opportunities. We will deepen our
action in this critical domain and can protect close work with the US and will seek to
and defend the UK’s interests at home and collaborate further with Five Eyes partners,
overseas. the Combined Space Operations (CSpO)
For hundreds of years, the UK Armed partner nations, NATO and other like-
Forces have defended the nation's interests minded powers, as we develop our Defence
across the land and maritime domains and, space capabilities.
for over a century now, also done so within Capability development will be guided by the
the air domain. However, as the Integrated ‘own-collaborate-access' framework first laid
Review made clear, we live in a more out in the Integrated Review. There will be
intensely competitive world and we must areas where we need dedicated sovereign
modernise to meet new and future capability, but also cases where we will
challenges. Space and Cyber have now access technology from elsewhere or utilise
been recognised as operational domains in collaborations and partnerships to broaden
their own right and Defence must take capabilities and deepen resilience.
advantage of this, integrating our capabilities This is a pivotal moment for Defence as it
so that they work together seamlessly seeks to operationalise the space domain at
across all domains. pace. This strategy sets out how Defence
Space has brought unprecedented will support national efforts to become a
advantages and new threats. Daily life is meaningful actor in space, able to secure
reliant on space and, for the Armed Forces, UK interests alongside those of our allies
space underpins vital, battle-winning and partners, to preserve strategic
technologies. From space we can deliver advantage, and contribute to a safe,
global command & control, communications, sustainable, secure and accessible
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, environment, now and in the years to come.
precision navigation, and more. Adversaries
understand this reliance and are increasingly
able to exploit vulnerabilities, threatening our Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP
strategic stability and security. Secretary of State for Defence
Executive
Summary
1. National Space Strategy, dated September 2021. 2. Integrated Review of Security, Defence,
Development and Foreign Policy, dated
March 2021.
As the National Space Strategy makes UK Defence will be at the heart of Allied
clear, we already rely heavily on space for space efforts, providing resilience and
critical services that impact daily on civil, complementarity in our joint pursuit for a
commercial and military sectors. These safe and secure space domain. Our unique
include, but are by no means limited to, global presence and close cooperation with
global communications, secure banking allies and partners – including with Five Eyes
transactions, transport, meteorology partners3 and through NATO – mean we are
and navigation. Space is a key enabler well-placed to drive international efforts to
for Defence operations and is now integrate space as one of the five operational
an operational domain in its own right domains. By doing so we will help to
(alongside cyber, maritime, air and land). prevent conflict, deter escalation, optimise
It is also fundamental to our aspiration to resources and enhance mission assurance
integrate across those five domains. Space and resilience. We will preserve our
enables our ability to command and control strategic advantage.
globally, provide surveillance, intelligence and The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Space
missile warning, as well as support deployed Directorate will engage cross-government
Joint forces, including activity such as the and with our allies and partners to shape
delivery of precision weapons from the UK and develop Defence policy and strategy
Carrier Strike Group with embarked F35, relating to the space domain. The Directorate
mine clearance and humanitarian operations. will also continue to enhance our existing
In a harsh and increasingly competitive close relationships within Defence,
domain, space capabilities and activities are particularly with the single Service Front-Line
continually subject to threats and hazards. Commands and UK Strategic Command,
Most are environmental: the natural hazards to ensure that activity within the domain
of space weather, radiation and meteoroid is integrated and effective, whilst leveraging
showers. Some are man-made hazards, synergies and capabilities in the
such as space debris, collisions, and human other domains.
error. Others are nefarious, as hostile actors
and competitors seek to maximise their
relative advantage in the domain. We must
therefore work to both protect and defend
the UK’s equities in space and the services
derived from space assets.
3. A
ustralia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, US.
5. Source: Dstl.
1. Context
1.6. Adversaries understand our reliance our national sovereign resilience and
on space services and major powers are competitiveness in this congested and
increasingly able to exploit the vulnerability contested environment.
of satellites and degrade the UK’s access to
1.8. We will continue to support ongoing
space, threatening our strategic stability and
cross-government work, particularly with
security. They can employ a wide range of
the security and intelligence services, to
capabilities, including the use of Electronic
collate collective understanding of the risks
Warfare (EW), cyber capabilities, Directed
to space-based services and supply chains
Energy Weapons (DEW), Co-orbital
and ensure that these are represented
Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons and
correctly in national strategic documentation.
Direct-Ascent ASAT (DA-ASAT)
missiles to intercept and exploit satellite
communications and threaten and potentially
destroy our space systems.
1.7. In particular, cyber threats have the
potential to deny, disrupt or deceive satellite
data, and the increasingly pervasive nature
of adversarial space-based Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
is affecting how we conduct military
operations more than ever. Our inaction
risks undermining the significant investments
we have made in capabilities reliant upon
the space domain and we need to improve
1.9. As well as threats, there are numerous who are committed to the peaceful use of
environmental hazards that have significant space is highly valuable. It will reinforce our
potential to disrupt our capabilities both in global presence, building on the unique
space and on the ground. There are millions advantages offered by our extensive footprint
of pieces of debris orbiting the Earth, from of overseas territories, enabling us to lead
satellite collisions, defunct satellites and pioneering scientific technology development
launcher upper stages, and this raises the and promote the values of Global Britain;
risk of further collisions. Space weather, all of which are critical in achieving strategic
in addition to energetic particle storms stability and sustaining military advantage.
produced by solar flares and major changes
to the solar wind, directly impacts the
Earth’s magnetic field, which could reduce
the effectiveness of satellites or induce
undesirable effects on the ground. A Severe
Space Weather Preparedness Strategy is
due to be published by the Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy (BEIS).
International Allies
and Partners
1.10. Many nations are finding ways to
bolster their global posture and develop
space capabilities to advance their national
agendas and to improve and protect civilian
uses of space services. Our continued
engagement, strengthening long-standing
and mutually beneficial alliances on space
operations, capability and policy, with nations
1.11. We are able to build on our strengths our interests in space (see Section 3). The
in intelligence analysis, space diplomacy, MOD is engaging closely with the Foreign,
leading edge science and strong industrial Commonwealth and Development Office,
innovation, making us a key ally. As a who are leading the way with first-class
founding member of the Combined Space diplomacy and thought-provoking policy
Operations (CSpO) Initiative,8 we are able initiatives such as the landmark UN General
to deepen international collaboration and Assembly Resolution on Reducing Space
cooperation on space policy, capability Threats through Norms, Rules and Principles
development, intelligence and operations of Responsible Behaviours, which saw
with like-minded nations, exchanging data, overwhelming support.10 We must ensure
ideas and activity within a co-dependent that the UK has the capability to underpin
construct. As well as continued close these soft-power initiatives to reduce space
engagement with our Five Eyes partners, threats and ensure continued access to the
we will further enhance our cooperation with space domain.
NATO and continue to seek opportunities for
other bilateral relationships. Industry and Commercial
1.12. We are at the forefront of multinational Ventures
space operations, working alongside some
1.14. Space-related activity11 was once solely
of the finest space operators across the
the preserve of governments; launching
world at the US-led Combined Space
satellites into space relied on the same
Operations Center. We were also first to
technologies as ballistic missiles. Today
publicly join the US in Operation OLYMPIC
though, investment is driven by private
DEFENDER,9 which enables us to share
investors and the UK space industry primary
information, data, and resources as well
income is from commercial ventures.12,13 This
as synchronise space efforts across
has led to a growth in UK income within the
partner nations.
space sector and a greater number of UK
1.13. Working with our allies and partners, companies in recent years, 14extending from
we will continue to monitor, seek to start-ups to multinational conglomerates.
understand and, where appropriate, call out
and respond to actions that are contrary to
8. C urrent participation includes Australia, Canada, 12. Investing in Space is no longer limited to
France, Germany, New Zealand, the United governments, high net-worth individuals and niche
Kingdom and the United States. specialists (‘Size and Health of the UK Space
9. A US-led multinational effort intended to optimise Industry’, dated May 2021, page 21).
space operations, improve mission assurance, 13. 81.3% of total income is commercial. Of the
enhance resilience and synchronise US efforts with remainder, the Defence contribution is 8.6% (‘Size
some of its closest allies. and Health of the UK Space Industry’, dated May
10. 2020 saw the first iteration of the new approach 2021, page 10).
with the UNGA Plenary vote result of 164 in favour 14. T here were over 1200 organisations in the
to 12 against, with 6 abstentions UK Space industry in 2019, including 95 new
11. Including Space operations, Space applications incorporations in the previous two years, and the
and ancillary services, as defined within the report global industry continues to grow at the same rate
‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry’, dated as the UK’s.
May 2021 (page 6).
1.15. The diverse selection of companies industry with clear guidance regarding the
and organisations offers access to a range technologies and industrial capabilities we
of commercial technological developments need to maintain within Defence (i.e. to be
with the potential for dual-use application, an intelligent customer), what should be
which Defence may wish to simultaneously maintained on shore for national security
utilise and protect from proliferation. As reasons, and what can be procured as
a high-growth, high-skills sector, there assured capability from a broader range
are opportunities for Defence to redefine of suppliers. We will secure access to, and
its procurement processes to maximise sufficient rights of use in, technical data
collaboration to improve recruitment and relating to our Defence space Portfolio in
retention of scarce skills across the sector. order to achieve the long term aims of
In addition, with so much private investment UK Space Command operationally,
and more governments aspiring to deliver industrially and in our international
ambitious space programmes, there will be partnerships with allies.
opportunities to maintain strategic advantage 1.17. In addition, we will explore use of
through development of fast-paced, the National Security Strategic Investment
emerging technologies. Fund, the government’s corporate venturing
1.16. Building on these changes, and the arm for dual-use advanced technologies,
drive to stimulate economic growth and as a vehicle to shape commercial space
national security outlined in the Defence development for Defence needs and
and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS), generate additional return on the investment.
15
Defence has much to contribute to the
continued growth and levelling up of our
space economy across the whole of the
UK. Besides the headline investment of
more than £5Bn over the next ten years
to recapitalise and enhance our satellite
communications capabilities, Defence
anticipates using targeted projects that
can exploit novel technologies and provide
capability to the user faster than traditional
procurement methods. As we develop our
Defence Space Portfolio, we will provide
2. Strategic Intent
Vision
To be a meaningful actor in the space domain, securing UK interests alongside our
allies and partners to ensure operational freedom in space.
Mission
To generate, integrate and operate space capabilities to protect and
defend our interests in support of global operations.
Cross-cutting Principles
Broadening and deepening multinational cooperation
Improving cross-government collaboration
Driving innovation and making use of technological opportunities
Own, collaboration or access
d. Own, Collaborate or Access. In line c. Upskill and cohere. Produce clear space
with the approach signalled in the National policies, plans and concepts; develop a
Space Strategy and the Integrated Review, skilled and sustainable space workforce;
technologies and services will be identified, recruit, train and retain talented individuals.
developed and generated depending on
the level of ownership and control required,
ensuring our activity complies with the Assured Integrated Review (IR) 2021
Capability Framework.18 The terms are defined We will support the UK space sector to
in the Integrated Review19 as follows: realise the economic benefits from this
( 1) Own. Where the UK has leadership and dynamic and rapidly expanding market,
ownership of new developments, from extending the UK’s influence in the
discovery to large-scale manufacture and space domain.
commercialisation. This will always involve As part of building the UK’s strategic
elements of collaboration and access. advantage through science and
( 2) Collaborate. Where the UK can provide technology, the government will build
unique contributions that allow us to the enabling environment for a thriving
collaborate with others to achieve our goals. UK space industry developing
space – and ground-based
( 3) Access. Where the UK will seek to
technologies.
acquire critical science and technology
from elsewhere, through options, deals and We will promote a ‘whole-of-life’ offer
relationships. This will always be conducted from research and development through
within the bounds of the MOD’s Assured finance to satellite operations, launch
Capability Framework, cognisant of the fact capability, data applications
that there will be differing national levels of and end-of-life services.
assured access requirements. We will carry out more space-
Strategic Themes related science activity, research and
development, and operational concept
2.6. Our space ambitions and planned outputs demonstrators.
will be met through three Strategic Themes:
. Protect and defend. Protect and defend
a
our national interests in and through space
by developing space capabilities to deliver
effective military outcomes; identify and
attribute threats to space systems; respond 18. Assured access to Space and associated industrial
to hostile activities in a proportionate and capability is vital to our operational independence
coordinated manner. – the ability to conduct military operations as we
choose without external political interference, and
. Enhance military operations. Integrate
b to protect the sensitive technologies that underpin
space into all relevant aspects of Defence those capabilities. This is aligned with intent
business; deliver resilient assured space articulated in the Defence and Security Industrial
services crucial to military operations; Strategy, dated March 2021.
19. Integrated Review, Section IV Strategic Framework,
enhance Multi-Domain Integration and Chapter 1, page 38, para 10.global industry
architectures. continues to grow at the same rate as the UK’s.
3. Strategic Theme 1
Protect and Defend
3.4. We will develop, test safely and UK Space Command, including operational
deliver ambitious protection and defensive level space Command and Control, missile
capabilities, alongside effects in and through warning and increased Space Domain
space, coordinated and integrated with Awareness, as well as exploring further
all other domains. We will ensure that we opportunities within NATO and bilaterally
are using the most innovative solutions where required. We will continue to
in protecting sovereign and allied space support other government departments
systems, including on-orbit infrastructure, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and
terrestrial space infrastructure, the Development Office, to enhance space
ElectroMagnetic (EM) spectrum and diplomacy, leveraging existing alliances and
cyber vulnerabilities. We will uphold partnerships to establish norms of behaviour
international norms and responsible for the space domain. Our partnership with
behaviours, supporting cross-government operators and owners of the UK’s space
and international efforts on this issue. critical national infrastructure will be further
3.5. We will strengthen our contribution to matured to respond to the growing threat.
Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER through
4. Strategic Theme 2
Enhance Military
Operations
4.1. Our Armed Forces must seek out and 4.3. We will develop secure, assured
seize the enduring strategic advantage and resilient systems and infrastructure,
opportunities offered by space. This means exploiting the very best from the UK space
integrating space capabilities and and Defence sectors to modernise platforms
services across the whole spectrum of and capabilities, including those that enable
multi-domain departmental activity, including Space Control, missile warning and other
operational planning, doctrine, capability integrated operations in space. We will also
development, training and education. champion UK-led science research and
It also means improving the process of development and emerging space services
integrating intelligence products and using technology to enhance our operations in
space technology in our core business to other domains, and that is coordinated with
attain information advantage and enhance capabilities developed in other domains.
operational effectiveness. Space will be a 4.4. We will explore and develop the
fundamental component in meeting the concepts for Defence-led resilient global
Integrated Operating Concept 2025 vision, navigation and alternative means to navigate
moving beyond joint operations to true and synchronise timing. This will include
Multi-Domain Integration. continuing to develop our relationship with
4.2. We must be able to send accurate, the Five Eyes community with regard to
secure data and information rapidly and in Navigation Warfare and also the protection
a format that is easily digestible by the user, and resilience of Position, Navigation and
facilitating decision-makers’ access to the Timing (PNT) capabilities.
information they need, wherever they are on
the globe, more quickly than our adversaries
can react. It is why we will explore ways to
improve our ability to command, control and
co-ordinate space systems, including the
ability to task, access and analyse data and
information effectively, alongside our allies
and partners.
4.5. We will enhance and exploit the UK’s 4.6. As the UK seeks to develop its own
world-renowned satellite communications small satellite capabilities, we will continue to
capability, Skynet, to enable us to better explore the Defence benefits offered by this
deliver our military objectives, support emerging market and consider potential
government activities and provide NATO opportunities for:
with satellite communication provisions a. Quantum field sensors.
alongside France, Italy and the US until
2035. In addition, we will become more b. Secondary payloads for Skynet.
resilient through close integration of c. Space-based ISR utilising multi-sensor
allied capability as well as commercial capabilities.
satellite communications providers, which
d. Novel discrimination and exploitation of
increasingly include military features.
sensitive EM targets.
Skynet
Skynet is a multi-billion pound strategic Defence satellite communications capability.
It supports national prosperity and resilience through the provision of data to enable the
full range of Defence tasks and support to government activities, at home and abroad.
As threats and associated vulnerabilities increase, we must consider how we monitor
the environment around Skynet, ensuring we protect the capability and have the ability
to respond when needed.
Skynet 6A21
5. Strategic Theme 3
Upskill and Cohere
UK Space Command
Mission: To protect and defend the UK and allies’ interests in, from and to space,
delivering decisive space power, enabling operational independence, and contributing
to global security.
Purpose: UK Space Command will deliver the UK’s command and control of space.
It will receive policy and strategy direction from the National Space Council and MOD
Space Directorate, coalesce and cohere space capability delivery and operations,
and provide unity of effort to deliver a space enterprise that will:
1. Protect and defend the UK and allies’ interests in space.
2. Enable operational independence for UK and allies’ use of space.
3. Enable integrated action through the provision of space-based services.
4. Promote, monitor and uphold global security and the responsible use of space.
5. Deliver world-renowned, technologically-advanced capabilities.
6. Exploit novel and innovative approaches to organisational and capability processes.
7. Recognise and harness the talent of our military, civilian and commercial
space workforce.
5.2. The National Space Strategy is clear 5.3. We will actively contribute and work
that a skilled workforce is vital to the success with other government departments,
of space businesses and the growth of remaining deeply interactive with industry
the sector. This is also fundamental to and sponsored reserves, to nurture talent
delivery of the Defence vision. The need and improve training for all those involved in
to continue to generate and grow a space the UK space sector, in particular, looking
workforce, by investing in skills and people, at opportunities for combined military and
will require Defence to harness the Whole civil training. We will also continue to improve
Force approach, encompassing military, Civil and expand Defence staff education and
Service and contractor staff. We will build training, making best use of our access
experience and expertise across Defence, to international courses in addition to the
as well as further integrating space Defence Academy and the Air and Space
effectively into exercises and war games Warfare School.
conducted for the maritime, land, air and
cyber-electromagnetic domains.
5.4. To attract and retain a talented and 5.5. The growing space workforce will be
diverse set of individuals, equipped with managed and delivered through structured
the specialist skills required for operational career paths. We will consider adopting
success, we will continue development the Unified Career Management approach,
through recognised and leading expert level as pioneered with the cyber workforce.
operator qualifications and we will introduce As part of this approach, we will develop
lateral entry with specialist education and novel and innovative partnerships with the
training to give individuals access to exciting commercial sector to ensure we unlock the
and rewarding job opportunities. This will full potential of our UK expertise. This will
help grow our Defence space workforce, include commercial staff embedded within
enhance our knowledge and reputation, the UK Space Operations Centre (SpOC)
as well as ensuring we remain intelligent Commercial Integration Cell as well as
customers and users. Options considered further enhancement to the established joint
will include the potential for Reserve space Partnership Agreement with the UKSA to
squadrons, alongside Regular Service fully integrate them into the UK SpOC.
formations. We will also ensure that we have
access to expertise ranging from specialists
in emerging technology, with examples such
as quantum technology and autonomy, to
satellite systems and service procurement.
6. Capability
Management
b. New initiatives. We will take an agile our ability to transfer large volumes of data
approach to capability development and globally, rapidly and securely, connecting the
acquisition by pulling through advanced modern battlefield and integrating
S&T, through R&D, into the hands of the the force.
operator, The technical specifications of b. Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The
such capabilities are not articulated here, detection, tracking, characterisation and
due to the classification of the document, attribution of space systems provides an
but will form the core of space capability increased understanding of the space
management within UK Space Command. domain and threats to our critical systems.
Priorities A fundamental enabler of all other space
capabilities, and critical to our ability to
6.7. As space capability matures in line with protect our interests in space in the years
developing policies, the ability to support to come, SDA combines data from a variety
and integrate with other operational of capabilities with intelligence source
domains will be fundamental. Alongside UK outputs. The UK SpOC acts as a hub for
Strategic Command, the Defence lead for data received from RAF Fylingdales, as
Multi-Domain Integration, military activity the lead contributing sensor, as well as
within the space domain will be continually ground-based telescopes, sensor networks
assessed, in order to enable effective and and on-orbit space-monitoring satellites,
coherent integration. This will underpin both UK and foreign. The Defence SDA
comprehensive standards of interoperability programme, which will be boosted by
with our allies and partners, and ensure an addition of over £85M over the next
that our ability to understand, decide and 10 years, will augment and contribute
act is reinforced through accurate, timely to existing allied and commercial data
and reliable data from a comprehensive sources using assured sensor capabilities
suite of sources. This integrated Defence required for national object classification and
space capability management activity will be attribution. We will coordinate information
conducted in accordance with the following and intelligence across all domains to build a
seven prioritised capability themes: richer understanding of the environment we
see ourselves operating in, enhancing this
a. Secure Satellite Communication
using innovative and emergent technology
(SATCOM). Global SATCOM that is secure
that can also be used by our partners across
and resilient, exchanging information via
government. We will ensure that the Defence
satellite to enable enhanced strategic
SDA programme works in conjunction
capabilities, is essential for our operational
with the civil Space Surveillance and
independence. It enables global operations
Tracking programme, led by the UKSA,
and discreet passage of the information at
to bring together the best possible data
a variety of sensitivities and classifications.
and analysis from civil, commercial and
We are already investing over £5Bn over the
classified sources.
next 10 years in our world-renowned Skynet
satellite system, delivered by UK Strategic
Command, and will now invest nearly £60M
of additional funding in Skynet and other
SATCOM capabilities. This will enhance
7. Governance
Hierarchy
National
National Space Strategy Space
Council
Capability management, UK
UK Space Air UK Space
force generation, force Command
Strategic
Command Agency
training & space operations Command
7.1. As set out in the National Space space domain and has approved the
Strategy, we will work to ensure that there UK’s first National Space Strategy. The
is a clear cross-government approach to resulting UK space policies are cohered
national space policy, governance and collaboratively by Space Directorates within
delivery. Figure 3 reflects the UK strategic both the MOD and BEIS.
structure in relation to the National Space
Council and other government departments,
as well as its core outputs. The National 25. The Terms of Reference of the National Space
Space Council,25 a Cabinet Committee Council are to consider issues concerning
prosperity, diplomacy and national security in,
chaired by the Prime Minister, sets direction
through and from space, as part of coordinating
for cross-government activity within the overall Government policy.
7.2. Defence space responsibilities have 7.4. To ensure that we integrate effectively,
been aligned with the Defence Operating we will work closely with other government
Model27. The Direct activity is the partners to meet the government’s ambition
responsibility of MOD Head Office, with and priorities. In particular, we will work
the Space Directorate, under leadership of directly with BEIS and the UKSA to deliver
the 2-star Director Space, cohering MOD the national ambition, fusing civil and military
Defence space governance, policy, strategy requirements where we can, to exploit one
planning and international engagement capability for many uses.
in support of the National Space Council.
Defence space Generate28 and Operate29
activities are the responsibility of the 2-star
Commander of UK Space Command, who
is also responsible for space-based
capability development and delivery. UK
Strategic Command will remain the capability
sponsor for SATCOM, PNT and ISR, with Air
Command the capability sponsor for Protect
and Defend capabilities.
7.3. To provide oversight and coordination
of the totality of Defence’s space business,
at least until Space Command’s capability
management processes are fully established,
we have developed a governance model
that seeks to provide assurance, protect UK
Strategic Command equities and mitigate
the risk of incoherence in Defence. The MOD
Space Directorate will be held to account
by a 4-Star level Defence Space Executive
Board, which will set the strategic direction
and provide oversight, alignment and
prioritisation below the Ministerial threshold.
In turn, we will be held to account by the
Defence Programme Assurance Group,
chaired by the National Security Advisor.
A 2-Star level Space Alignment Group has
also been established to provide a forum for
coordination and alignment.
27. There are 7 core Defence activities: Policy, Strategy, 28. The generation of Military Capability from currently
Planning, Governance, Enable, Generate and available assets and the delivery of projects and
Operate. Of these, Policy, Strategy, Planning and other activity to create future Military Capability.
Governance are collectively referred to as the 29. The day-to-day business of space operations.
Direct activity.