A proposed architecture for theater coordination of global space capabilities

• Main Author: Wille, Dennis G.
• Other Authors: Racoosin, Charles
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Subjects: Space
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/2669

This thesis proposes an architecture for the coordination of global space capabilities in a joint force commanderâ s theater of operations. The current architecture for space capabilities coordination in a geographic area of operations is not standardized, and is instead left up to each theater to develop independently. As dependence on space capabilities proliferates to the lowest levels of operations, while the capabilities and products provided by space systems becomes increasingly complex, ad hoc relationships are no longer sufficient. Purely because of physics, assets on orbit are global, rather than theater, in nature, and require a global level of control. The interaction of a unified global controlling organization with disparate theater coordination constructs results in confusion, inefficiency, and potentially lost opportunities to influence or support operations. The standardization of space coordination across theaters will ensure that similarly trained and operating organizations are able to interact within their theater, across theaters, and up to the space command and control organization. This thesis proposes the establishment of a theater space coordination cell on the staff of the joint force commander in order to provide theater-wide space capabilities coordination and reach-back to U.S.-based space resources.