Space and Internal Security – Developing a Concept for the Use of Space Assets to Assure a Secure Europe

Paper number

IAC-09.E3.2.9

Author

Ms. Nina-Louisa Remuss, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), Austria

Year

2009

Abstract

While the contributions of space applications to security are increasingly being recognised, the use of space for internal security, understood to comprise the handling of civilian threats and terrorism, is often neglected. This is particularly striking with terrorism being one out of five key threats being mentioned in the European Security Strategy. With the Space and Security Panel of Experts (SPASEC) being given the mandate to review the role of space in the fight against terrorism and the considerations in the SPASEC-report regarding the support of space-based applications in counter-terrorism operations, initial steps were taken in overcoming this neglect. Moreover, the FP6 and the three year long “Preparatory Action”, preceding the FP7 provided for the first research oriented steps in this regard.

However, issues like the coordination of national and European efforts, the optimum institutional set up, the interface to defence related aspects of security and the most efficient procedures for using space applications are still not clarified. Thus ESPI conducted a six months research project, including a one-day workshop entitled “Space and Internal Security – Developing a Concept for the Use of Space Assets to Assure a Secure Europe” with the objective to evaluate needs and current capabilities and to distinguish future possibilities. The final objective was to formulate a concept for the use of space assets in the provision of internal security. During the workshop invited experts from both critical mission areas ranging from critical infrastructure, port and maritime security, the transportation sector, the field of aviation security to border control discussed current projects both at the EU and the national level and indicated future needs. 

Abstract document

IAC-09.E3.2.9.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.E3.2.9.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.