Space Coordinating Authority of Information Services from Space

In recognizing the importance of space power to military operations, doctrine recommends a single authority to coordinate joint theater space operations and integrate space capabilities. The Joint Force Commander (JFC) may designate a space coordinating authority (SCA) to facilitate unity of effort in employing space power. Unity of effort is crucial, as unity of command is problematic. Military operations often exploit civil, commercial, national, and military space capabilities to aid and accelerate observations, decisions, and actions across the entire spectrum of conflict. Space capabilities are foundational to the information domain providing communications, warning, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, positioning, navigation, timing, environmental and weather data. Information services from space improve operations through space-integrated applications of combat powerThe space power combination of supporting space information services and space superiority is a force multiplier for military commanders. The JFC needs SCA to deconflict, prioritize, and integrate space capabilities by optimizing usage of finite space resources from various sources. This paper, from an Airman's perspective for operations in joint and coalition environments, proposes a space power framework for the JFC to employ SCA. It explores space capabilities and the responsibilities of SCA. With the advent of the new Director of Space Forces (DIRSPACEFOR) construct in Air Force doctrine, it provides recommended doctrinal changes to SCA responsibilities. It offers intellectual thought for coordinating and controlling space power at the operational level of war.