WASHINGTON – The UK will participate in a US Space Command initiative focused on acquiring intelligence data from the commercial space domain, the UK’s military space chief announced on June 26.
The US Space Command operates what is called the Joint Space Defense Commercial Operations (JCO) cell at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The UK will set up a JCO-UK cell to collaborate with the US
“I am delighted that we are able to announce the formation of the JCO-UK National Cell,” said Air Vice-Marshal Paul Alexander Godfrey, UK Space Command Commander.
JCO-US was created in 2020 to enhance the space surveillance capabilities of the Space Command’s National Space Defense Center. JCO buys data and analytics services from commercial companies.
According to a recent report Government Accounts OfficeThe U.S. Space Force plans to award the JCO about $20 million for the commercial acquisition of SSA data in fiscal year 2023 and a total of $110 million for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
Aimed at 24/7 operations
“The JCO-UK stand-up represents a step forward in developing our sun-follower model for 24/7 operations,” said US Space Force Brig. General Bythewood, Commander of the JTF-SD.
JCO-UK will support JCO’s ‘follow-the-sun’ model, which includes eight-hour operating shifts starting in local European time zones, allowing each cell to operate during normal business hours.
Personnel from JCO, Space Systems Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory will provide US-UK communications, network connectivity, access to commercial data and Awareness of the domain of space Analytical tools.
“JCO-UK is at the forefront of global business operations, and the lessons we’ve learned together will enable us to quickly apply new capabilities to our joint missions,” said Barb Golf, Space Systems Command strategic advisor for space domain expertise.
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