Vienne Machi and Robert Wall (Aviation Week and Space Technology) report on Space Command’s increasing focus on orbital maneuvering in the context of U.S. national security and space operations. As space becomes increasingly contested, the ability to maneuver satellites is critical for avoiding potential collisions, responding to threats, and ensuring the operational effectiveness of U.S. assets. Orbital maneuvering allows for repositioning satellites in response to changing mission needs, avoiding space debris, and maintaining the integrity of satellite constellations. This flexibility is essential for ensuring availability for both military and commercial operations. Additionally, adversarial nations are enhancing their capabilities in space, necessitating a shift in U.S. strategy. Examples include “nesting doll” operations performed by Russian spacecraft in which a smaller spacecraft emerges from the main satellite and proximity operations Chinese satellites have performed on their defunct assets and operational Western satellites.

Response to changing space operations where orbital maneuvering adds additional threat management requires a combination of technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and focus on future operations. Increases in space maneuverability require further investment in advanced propulsion technologies to enhance maneuverability. Innovations such as electric propulsion systems could play a significant role in enabling more agile responses in space. Collaborations with commercial space companies and international allies are also emphasized within the article as crucial for developing robust maneuvering capabilities. This approach fosters innovation and leverages private sector expertise. Finally, U.S. Space Command is prioritizing strategies incorporating enhanced orbital maneuvering into operational planning. This includes developing tactics and frameworks to integrate these capabilities into broader space operations.

Orbital maneuvering in space system operations has offensive and defensive cyber security implications. Systems with orbital maneuvering allow proximity operations that enable signal interception for nation-state actors. Conversely, cyber adversaries could disrupt satellite operations by altering maneuver commands or stealing sensitive data. Data integrity and confidentiality efforts could no longer rely on “isolation” and/or distance as a mitigation factor to signal interception. As satellite systems become more reliant on maneuvering capabilities, they may also expand their reliance on communication networks and ground control systems, increasing vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. PNT jamming and spoofing are more likely to be effective DoS attacks, as satellite navigation and positioning systems rely on PNT data to maneuver effectively. Finally, as maneuvering capabilities become more integral to military and commercial operations, establishing comprehensive cybersecurity protocols, including regular updates, incident response strategies, and training for satellite operations personnel will become more essential.