The recently accredited Space Centre of Excellence works to improve the Alliance’s expertise in the Space Domain and will provide knowledge, analysis, and products covering the three operational functions: Space Domain Awareness, Operational Space Support, and Space Domain Coordination.
The Space Centre of Excellence is located in Toulouse, France, and is the newest addition to the Alliance’s Centre of Excellence programme. Upon receiving its official accreditation on 14 July 2023, the Centre has been working to expand its capabilities and build its staff from its 15 sponsoring nations. While still in its infancy, the Centre’s mission of providing the catalyst for the comprehension, improvement and transformation of the Alliance’s Space power is a key aspect of developing the Alliance’s future capabilities.
A key milestone in Centre’s history took place on 26 May 2023, when the Centre chaired the first Space pre-Annual Discipline Conference in its role as Department Head for Space Operations Education and Training Discipline. In this role, the Centre is responsible for identifying and coordinating education and training solutions in Space for all operating bodies across the Alliance. By preparing, coordinating, and chairing such an event, the Centre proved its ability to support the Alliance. The Centre also participated in the 38th Annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, USA, hosting a booth that highlighted the Alliance’s approach to the Space domain and future Space operations.
The conditions are in place for the Centre to act as focal point for Alliance’s space-related education and training, analysis and lessons learned as well as hands-on concept development and experimentation. Furthermore, the Centre will assist the development of doctrine and standards by supporting the Alliance in accelerating work on space-related matters, deepening and expanding its use of the space domain, and supporting the integration of space in the Alliance. It will raise space-related expertise across the Alliance, stimulate space interoperability for Allied nations’ space-related assets, and constitute a bridge between the Alliance and all relevant national and international space organizations, as well as commercial sectors and academia.
With the new Director, Colonel Sylvain Debarre, who took over the position this month, the Centre is looking forward to building up its expertise as fast as possible:
“NATO Space COE can be proud of the work done so far. With the activation of the Paris Protocol in record time, the conditions are now in place for our international members from the 15 sponsoring nations to join our COE here in Toulouse, France, at the heart of a valuable Space ecosystem and to bring in their expertise. We will use the upcoming weeks to unite the constantly growing team to tackle the next challenges together and strengthened. I’m very proud to be a part of this story of success.”
NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence are (multi-) nationally established and sponsored entities, which offer recognized expertise and experience within a defined subject matter area to the benefit of the Alliance. Centres of Excellence are not part of the NATO Command Structure, but form part of the wider framework that contributes to the functioning of the Alliance. Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation coordinates the activities of the Centres of Excellence, ensuring that their outputs align with Allied Command Transformation’s Programme of Work. For more information about NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence, see the 2023 Centres of Excellence Catalogue.
