the US Space Command (SPACECOM) is broadening the roles of the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell, which was established to enhance space domain awareness using commercial data. Barbara Golf, the head of JCO, shared these developments during the annual Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) conference.
“The JCO has been operational for several years, supporting military space surveillance,” Golf said. “Initially, our focus was on protection and defense, contributing to the National Space Defense Center. Now, we have expanded our mission significantly.”
The National Space Defense Center, located at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado, combines military and intelligence operators to strategize against potential attacks on Defense Department space systems, particularly from adversaries.
Originally known as the Joint Task Force-Space Defense Commercial Operations, the JCO was rebranded in December and now includes 14 countries and NATO. It utilizes commercial data and analytical resources obtained through the Unified Data Library. “We have various sensors from our commercial partners, including electro-optical sensors, radars, and passive RF data, and we are also moving into satellite-to-satellite communications,” Golf explained.
Golf noted that the JCO's primary role has been to provide alerts regarding concerning space activities from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous orbit (GEO), extending into what is termed xGEO. “We excel in GEO, and while we are less proficient in LEO, we are addressing that and expanding into xGEO, offering support and warning indications. Our primary deliverable is called the NOTSO, or Notice To Space Operators, akin to NOTAMs for aviation and maritime operations,” she said.
Golf emphasized that the JCO's focus on awareness is serious, stating, “If you drive it like you stole it, you have our full and undivided attention.”
As the strategic advisor for space domain awareness at Space Force’s Space Systems Command, Golf detailed the JCO’s new mandate to integrate commercial operations. The JCO is adding missions, including electromagnetic spectrum operations, which began in July, and tactical surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking (Tac-SRT), which will start on October 1.
Tac-SRT is the new term for what has traditionally been called tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, aimed at clarifying the roles between the Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
The NRO operates spy satellites and acquires remote sensing images from commercial satellite companies, while the NGA collects and analyzes this imagery, providing fused information to the US national security community.
Since February, the Space Force has been piloting a Tac-SRT program that uses unclassified commercial analytical products to assist US Africa Command with missions such as disaster relief and the military withdrawal from Niger, which was highlighted by Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
Golf confirmed that the JCO’s Tac-SRT efforts will be coordinated with the intelligence community, especially the NGA. “We collaborate with the IC to avoid duplicate purchases. We check NGA’s imagery libraries to ensure we aren’t acquiring the same data and contribute all acquired information back into those libraries,” she said.
