Taken from the full website here:

Join the Space Situational Awareness debate

A quote from the explanatory memorandum introducing the proposal from the European Commission for an EU Space Surveillance and Tracking support program ….

“Space-based systems enable a wide spectrum of applications which play a fundamental role in our everyday life (TV, Internet or geopositioning). They are critical to key areas of the economy and help ensuring our security. Space-based applications and derived services as well as space research have become critical for the implementation of EU policies, such as environment, climate change, maritime policies, development, agriculture, security related policies including the CFSP/CSDP, as well as the furthering of technical progress and industrial innovation and competitiveness.

With increasing dependence on space-based services, the ability to protect space infrastructure has become essential to our society. Any shutdown of even a part of space infrastructures could have significant consequences for the well-functioning of economic activities and our citizens’ safety, and would impair the provision of emergency services.

However, space infrastructures are increasingly threatened by the risk of collision between spacecraft and more importantly, between spacecraft and space debris. As a matter of fact, space debris has become the most serious threat to the sustainability of certain space activities.

In order to mitigate the risk of collision it is necessary to identify and monitor satellites and space debris, catalogue their positions, and track their movements (trajectory) when a potential risk of collision has been identified, so that satellite operators can be alerted to move their satellites. This activity is known as space surveillance and tracking (SST), and is today mostly based on ground-based sensors such as telescopes and radars.

In Europe today, there is limited capacity to monitor and survey satellites and space debris as well as re-entry of space objects into the Earth’s atmosphere. Furthermore, there are no proper services to issue collision warnings for satellite operators.

The proposed decision by the European Commission allows for the definition of a partnership, whereby Member States will contribute with their existing and future assets to the SST capability at European level and the Union will provide a legal framework and a financial contribution to the implementation of the actions defined. The legal framework defines the governance scheme and the data policy in accordance with the relevant Council conclusions.”

With a focus on solving the political issues but not ignoring the technical, Space Situational Awareness 2013 (SSA2014) is the first gathering of dedicated SSA Experts from across Europe and the USA, to discuss and debate the business, political and technical challenges that lie ahead.

With European heads of state scheduled to meet in December to review their common security and defence position, there is no better opportunity to get completely up to speed with the leading thought leaders and key influencers in the field of SSA.

Featuring Expert Space Situational Awareness Speakers from:

Who will be attending SSA 2013?

Delegates are confirming their attendance from across the globe, from Government, Space Agencies, Satellite / Spacecraft Operators, Space Lawyers, Space Insurance providers, United Nations, Defence and civil protection.

With the list growing quickly, we are delighted to have confirmed participation from: EUROPEAN COMMISSION, US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, EUROPEAN UNION SATELLITE CENTRE, EUROPEAN DEFENCE AGENCY, US STRATCOM, SWISS SPACE CENTER, ASTRIUM, UK SPACE AGENCY, ITALIAN SPACE AGENCY, INMARSAT, CENTER FOR SPACE STANDARDS & INNOVATION, RAL SPACE, UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, UK MET OFFICE, XCOR AEROSPACE, SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION, EUTELSAT, EUMETSAT, CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY, SURREY SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY of SURREY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTRE, DIGITALGLOBE

Key Topics on the Agenda at SSA 2013

• SSA Policy * SSA International Co-operation * Collaboration & Interoperability * Space Surveillance & Tracking * Space Debris * Orbital Debris * Space Weather * Imagery * NEO * LEO /GEO * Commercial Space Situational Awareness * Spacecraft tracing and location prediction * Space based / Ground-based radar systems *Space-based sensors * Optical Systems * Data Systems Management * Implications for all stakeholders * Country by country political initiatives driving forward SSA *Spacecraft insurance / financial risk *Ground Based Systems *Competitive capabilities gained through the development of SSA infrastructure and capabilities.

How can you get involved in SSA2013?

If you feel that you could add to the debate and discussion at SSA2013, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please drop us a line on +44 (0)207 866 8138 or email us at [email protected]

Why not join our community on LinkedIn and join your peers – start discussions, find answers and make new contacts. Simply search groups Space Situational Awareness Conference

Secure your place early and take advantage of the early registration discounts. Book now.