The foundations for military space activities were laid over 10 years ago with small-scale experiments. The space domain has since developed into an operational component of the Ministry of Defence, partly thanks to the deployment of its own observation satellites. Space was officially established as the fifth operational domain last year. This led to the transition from the Air Force Command (CLSK) to the Air and Space Force Command (CLRS).
Threat
The importance of space capabilities is growing rapidly, whilst threats are also on the rise. Disruption to satellite systems, cyber-attacks and geopolitical tensions make it essential to invest in our own expertise and capabilities. Satellites play a crucial role in communications, navigation and intelligence gathering.
Purple
The future Space Command will have a so-called ‘purple’ structure. The Navy, Army, Air Force and the cyber organisation will work together within this framework. This should lead to better coordination and a more efficient deployment of space capabilities.
Space projects
The Ministry of Defence now has several space projects underway. For example, the observation satellites from the Finnish manufacturer ICEYE provide radar images even in cloudy conditions and at night. In addition, the Ministry of Defence is collaborating with Dutch industry on the PAMI satellite, which takes photographs of the Earth’s surface and combines this with laser communication. The launch is scheduled for around 2028 and is intended to contribute to the Netherlands’ own optical space capability. This PAMI satellite capability will later be expanded into a constellation of satellites.
The Ministry of Defence is also investing in what is known as Space Domain Awareness. Satellites and space debris are tracked and analysed using telescopes and supporting ground-based systems. This enables potential risks and threats to our own space capabilities to be identified in good time. Combined with ground stations and data processing, this provides an increasingly comprehensive picture of activities in space.
International standing and cooperation
Internationally, too, the Ministry of Defence has established a recognised position in the space sector. The Ministry of Defence focuses on relevance, flexibility and innovative solutions. In doing so, it recognises the importance of its strong expertise in optics and laser communications, and the smart utilisation of existing capabilities.
That capacity for innovation, combined with collaboration with allies and Dutch industry, gives the Ministry of Defence a role as a connecting link within the international space ecosystem.
Growth
Over the coming years, the organisation will grow from around 30 to more than 100 staff members, eventually comprising several hundred posts for military personnel, civilians and reservists. The aim is for Space Command to be fully operational from 2028.
