Summary of AMOS 2023 DAY 1 | SSA POLICY FORUM | Evolution of the Commercial SSA Data Market

Panel Discussion Overview

The panel discussion at the AMOS 2023 Policy Forum, moderated by Victoria Sampson from the Secure World Foundation, focused on the evolution of the commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data market. The conversation featured insights from a diverse group of experts, including Kevin O'Connell, Audrey Shaffer, Mahad Ahad, and Ashiras Regi, who discussed the growth of the commercial SSA sector, its challenges, and future prospects.

Main Financial Strategies, Market Analyses, and Business Trends

• Growth of Commercial SSA Market
  • The market has seen significant growth over the past decade, transitioning from a lack of commercial SSA data to a burgeoning ecosystem of private sector providers.
  • Increased demand for SSA data is driven by rising space activities and the need for safety and sustainability in space operations.
• Government and Private Sector Roles
  • The panel highlighted the evolving roles of government and private sectors in providing SSA data, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure space safety.
  • There is a call for governments to create regulatory frameworks that facilitate commercial SSA services while maintaining public safety standards.
• Data Quality and Standards
  • Ensuring high data quality is critical, as poor data can lead to catastrophic events in space.
  • The need for standardized practices and metrics to assess the quality of SSA data was emphasized, alongside the importance of timely data delivery.
• Emerging Markets and International Collaboration
  • Emerging space economies are encouraged to engage with established space nations to build their SSA capabilities.
  • The panelists discussed the potential for international partnerships to enhance global SSA efforts and improve data sharing.
• Shift from Data to Insights
  • The market is transitioning from merely providing SSA data to offering actionable insights, including maneuver detection and pattern analysis.

Methodology/Step-by-Step Guide

• Collaboration Framework
  • Foster partnerships between government agencies and commercial providers to create a cohesive SSA ecosystem.
  • Engage emerging space economies through collaborative projects and data sharing agreements.
• Data Quality Assurance
  • Establish standards for evaluating the quality of SSA data and the capabilities of different sensors.
  • Implement mechanisms for timely data processing and dissemination to stakeholders.
• Market Development
  • Encourage the government to define basic and advanced SSA services to stimulate market growth.
  • Create regulatory incentives for satellite operators to utilize commercial SSA services.

Presenters/Sources

• Victoria Sampson (Moderator, Secure World Foundation)
• Kevin O'Connell (Space Economy Rising)
• Audrey Shaffer (VP of Strategy and Policy, Slingshot Aerospace)
• Mahad Ahad (Purdue University)
• Ashiras Regi (Digitantara)

Notable Quotes

— 04:28 — « There's a part of this that we're not talking about actively which is a tremendous opportunity that's going to come in the space economy in orbit servicing. »

— 04:52 — « The reality is that the government spends money in one year budget cycles. That's the way we spend money. »

— 05:27 — « I really worry about a day when there's a terrible crash in space at which point everyone will come out of the woodwork with their own well-intended idea about what to do about it. »

— 05:34 — « This is not a sector that is five people in a garage. This is a part of the ecosystem which is well established. »

— 07:00 — « We don't want to interfere too much with that competitive aspect so that the best people in the market actually succeed. »

Category

Business and Finance

Video