Importance Score: 78 / 100 🔴
Geopolitical upheavals have rocked Europe, propelling “great power politics” to the forefront. The continent faces a genuine threat of becoming a mere piece on the global chessboard rather than an influential player. Consequently, European officials have hurried to bolster their defenses. French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that Europe stands at a “historic junction,” stressing the need for solidarity, heightened defense expenditure, and proposing France’s extension of its nuclear protection to fellow European nations.
Learning from U.S. Space Initiatives
Nevertheless, as Rohan Silva discussed in a recent piece in British newspaper The Times, any funds allocated for defense are at risk of being mismanaged. Across the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, procurement methods are slow and disorganized. If Europe aims to safeguard its interests in space, it must go beyond rhetoric and budget increases—beneficial as those are. Instead, it should draw insights from the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA), a Space Force branch dedicated to deploying revolutionary space technology. The SDA has demonstrated that military space endeavors need not be excruciatingly slow and costly.
Lessons from the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)
The SDA was established in 2019 with the goal of disrupting conventional operations. Historically, U.S. defense projects depended on languid, multi-year bidding processes aimed at fairness and minimal risk rather than swiftness. The SDA overhauled this methodology, adhering to two core principles: proliferation and spiral development.
The Principle of Proliferation
Proliferation involves deploying numerous small, economical satellites operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These satellites are designed, produced, launched, and replaced more easily than traditional military satellites, which often occupy higher orbits. A network of such satellites is more robust because taking out one satellite does not cripple the entire system. Neutralizing a whole constellation would necessitate a massive effort.
This approach diverges significantly from traditional space defense strategies, which relied on fewer, more sophisticated satellites that were pricey and hard to replace. The SDA’s strategy allows for the rapid deployment of satellites and minimizes the danger of losing essential capabilities in the event of an assault. Furthermore, it enables the swift integration of technological advancements, as new satellites can be seamlessly introduced into the existing network.
The Principle of Spiral Development
Spiral development accelerates the process by deploying an initial, functional version swiftly—akin to a minimal viable product (MVP)—and then enhancing it in iterative cycles. This strategy, prevalent in industries like software and consumer technology, ensures that military space technology keeps pace with emergent threats. Traditional procurement processes often lock in designs that quickly become archaic. Spiral development circumvents this issue by emphasizing flexibility.
The advantages of this approach go beyond speed. Spiral development also curbs costs. The upfront investment is less, and new technologies can be incorporated without necessitating a complete overhaul. The SDA’s framework places a strong emphasis on adaptability, a crucial trait for contemporary military forces that must swiftly respond to shifting geopolitical threats and technological advancements.
Adopting an SDA Model for Europe
Space is more than just the peaceful exploration of the cosmos; it is integral to communication, logistics, sustainability, and increasingly, defense. The creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019 underscored this reality, as did Russia’s Ukraine incursion and escalating tensions with China. Europe must radically overhaul its approach, adopting a strategy inspired by the SDA that prioritizes centralization, speed, resilience, and innovation for national and continental security.
The positive news is that this transformation is feasible. By embracing elements of the SDA model, Europe could innovate swiftly and economically. Moreover, a more intelligent procurement process would invigorate aerospace and tech sectors across the continent. The aftermath of U.S. military expenditure has seen the birth of the internet, the semiconductor industry, and Google’s search engine. This revitalization is vital for Europe, which, after years of underfunding, is rapidly rebuilding its defense industrial base.
It’s essential to recognize that adopting the SDA model does not imply a universal fit. Even the Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect for national space programs, specifies in its report that the model is applicable only to specific situations. In Europe, these relevant contexts should encompass relatively new capabilities to minimize resistance from established players. Agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA), European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), or Germany’s DLR, or newer entrants like Portugal Space, could commence such a program, given the requisite authority.
The urgency is palpable. Threats to European security are fast-evolving. If Europe continues to cling to outdated procurement models, it risks falling behind. The U.S. has already shown that a swifter, leaner model is effective. For Europe to achieve resilience in space, it should cease hesitating and begin learning. The SDA’s approach serves as a blueprint for innovation, efficiency, and security in an increasingly uncertain world.
Further Reading
Explore related insights to deepen your understanding of the future of European space defense and the innovative strategies that may shape it.