Enemy Satellite Approaches, Actual Avoidance Maneuver... Civil-Military Space Threat Response Exercise

Korea Aerospace Administration and Joint Chiefs of Staff Hold 3-Day Joint Exercise... Track Satellites Using Radar and Optical Equipment
Review Entire Process, from Risk Analysis to Avoidance Maneuvers and Follow-Up Verification

A training exercise was conducted in which civilian and military organizations jointly detected a threat posed by an enemy satellite approaching a South Korean satellite and carried out an actual satellite avoidance maneuver. The exercise went beyond sharing space surveillance information to review the entire process, including risk analysis, response decisions, and verification after the satellite maneuver.

The Korea Aerospace Administration said on November 4 that it had conducted a three-day “Civil-Military Space Situational Response Field Training Exercise (FTX)” jointly with the Joint Chiefs of Staff from November 2 to 4. The exercise involved the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the Air Force, the Navy, UZURO Tech, and others. A Field Training Exercise (FTX) is conducted in conditions similar to actual operations, using real equipment and personnel.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff conducted a civil-military space response exercise on the 2nd at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute in Daejeon. The exercise was attended by officials from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the Air Force, the Navy, UZURO Tech Co., Ltd., and other organizations. Photo provided by KASA.

The exercise simulated a situation in which an enemy satellite approached a South Korean satellite. Civilian and military organizations jointly used space surveillance assets, including radar and optical observation equipment, to detect and track the approaching satellite. They then calculated its orbit based on observation data and assessed the risk of the approach.

In particular, based on the analysis, participants decided whether to conduct a satellite avoidance maneuver and then observed the satellite again after it had been maneuvered to verify changes in its orbit. This provided a comprehensive review of procedures ranging from detecting and analyzing space risks to decision-making and taking actual response measures.

The Korea Aerospace Administration used the exercise to verify space risk response procedures linked to the national disaster response system. It also reviewed the framework for cooperation among organizations to combine their surveillance and analysis findings and translate them into actual satellite operation measures. After the avoidance maneuver, the Administration plans to compare and verify follow-up observation data against satellite operational orbit information and identify ways to improve joint response procedures.

As the number of satellites and other space objects entering Earth's orbit has grown, the need to respond to collision risks has also increased. According to statistics from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), about 34,000 space objects are registered in Earth's orbit. The European Union (EU) has also operated its Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) system since 2016, linking civilian and military surveillance sensors in member states.

When a space risk is anticipated, the Korea Aerospace Administration maintains a response system that includes forming a Space Risk Response Headquarters and working with relevant organizations to analyze the potential for damage.

“As the number of space objects increases rapidly, the capacity of civilian and military organizations to respond jointly to space risks is becoming increasingly important,” said Tae seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration. “Building on the framework for cooperation tested in this exercise, we will continue to conduct joint exercises and further strengthen cooperation among relevant organizations.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.