Orbital Watch is designed to help private companies build more resilient systems by alerting them to evolving space-based threats, including cyber attacks, electronic warfare and hostile satellite activity. According to the USSF, the tool will ensure timely communication of critical information to protect both government and commercial space assets.
“This initiative is in direct alignment with the Department of Defense Commercial Space Integration Strategy and the USSF Commercial Space Strategy, as well as congressional guidance,” said Colonel Richard Kniseley, SSC’s senior materiel leader for the Commercial Space Office. “The goal is sharing threat information in a timely manner and Front Door is well equipped to do that.”
The development of Orbital Watch has involved collaboration with various government intelligence entities, including the Director of National Intelligence, the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, and the Commercial Integration Cell within U.S. Space Command. This cross-agency cooperation reflects growing recognition of the commercial sector’s role in national space security.
“Front Door is moving out on this essential effort,” said Victor Vigliotti, director of the SSC Front Door office. “We are providing our commercial partners the information needed to increase system resilience and mitigate threats.”
The platform will be introduced in phases, with an initial beta phase offering quarterly updates on emerging threats in the space domain. Over time, as more data sources are integrated, the frequency of updates will increase to ensure companies receive timely and actionable insights.
A later phase will introduce a secure “Commercial Portal” to enable two-way information exchange between the US government and selected commercial providers. This is expected to deepen collaboration and strengthen the overall security of space operations.
“The launch of Orbital Watch truly marks the beginning of a new age for threat information sharing and solves a critical challenge for both the government and industry,” said Vigliotti. “U.S. adversaries are moving fast; we need to move faster.”
As the USSF works to safeguard the space environment, the initiative underscores the growing interdependence between government and private industry. Space Systems Command currently oversees a $15.6 billion acquisition budget and is tasked with delivering advanced, resilient capabilities to protect the nation’s strategic advantage in space.
Source: U.S. Space Force.
