USSTRATCOM, Denmark sign agreement to share space services, data

Photo By David Grim | U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno (right), U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) director of plans and policy, speaks with Maj. Gen. Agner Rokos, representing the Defence Command Denmark and the Ministry of Defence Denmark, before signing a memorandum of understanding at the 34th Annual Space Symposium Apr. 17, 2018. The memorandum authorizes sharing space situational awareness services and information with the Defence Command and Ministry of Defence for Denmark. Denmark joins 13 nations (the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Israel, Spain, Germany, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Norway), two intergovernmental organizations (the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) and more than 65 commercial satellite owner/operator/launchers already participating in SSA data-sharing agreements with USSTRATCOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Grim)  

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

04.18.2018

Story by Master Sgt. April Wickes 

U.S. Strategic Command

U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) entered into an agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defense to share space situational awareness (SSA) services and information.
The memorandum, signed today at the 34th Space Symposium by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina M. Armagno, USSTRATCOM director of plans and policy, and Major General Agner Rokos, director of coalition strategy and plans group U.S. Central Command, on behalf of the Defence Command Denmark and the Ministry of Defence Denmark, will enhance each nation’s awareness within the space domain and increase the safety of their spaceflight operations.
“Cooperation is vital for the U.S. and our allies to maintain effective space situational awareness and for us all to continue to benefit from the critical domain that is space,” said Armagno. “These agreements build our relationships and provide insights to allow us to be more effective in space.”
“For Denmark as an emerging space nation partnerships are highly valuable. The signing of the agreement to share Space Situational Awareness ensures not only information sharing but will further build on the close relationship between USSTRATCOM and the Danish Defence,” said Rokos.
Denmark joins 13 nations - the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Israel, Spain, Germany, Australia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Norway - two intergovernmental organizations, the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and over 65 commercial satellite owner/operator/launchers already participating in SSA data-sharing agreements with USSTRATCOM.
“As more space capabilities are launched worldwide and the number of people benefiting from the use of those systems grows, it is in all of our interests to work together to ensure the security, safety and sustainability of space,” Armagno said. “The space domain is a global resource that is best protected and managed collectively.”
SSA data-sharing agreements enhance multinational space cooperation and streamline the process for USSTRATCOM partners to request specific information gathered by Air Force Space Command’s 18th Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The information is crucial for launch support, satellite maneuver planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, electromagnetic interference reporting and investigation, satellite decommissioning activities and on-orbit conjunction assessments.
USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, cyberspace operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.
For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or [e-mail] or visit www.stratcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2018
• Date Posted: 04.19.2018 10:46
• Story ID: 273681
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, CO, US