USSTRATCOM, Thailand sign agreement to share space services, data

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb.   –   United States Strategic Command and the Royal Thailand Air Force signed an agreement for space situational awareness (SSA) services and data. Agreements like these lay the foundation that allows the United States to share information with allies and partners.

Rear Adm. Richard Correll, director of plans and policy for USSTRATCOM, signed the agreement, which bolsters the United States’ and Thailand’s awareness in the space domain. The bilateral relationship between the United States and Thailand dates back to 1818, equating to 200 years of friendship.

“Formalizing this relationship with our oldest Southeast Asian partner is crucial as space becomes more contested,” said Adm. Correll. “Agreements like this one, between responsible nations, ensures safe and secure space operations.”

Thailand joins 16 nations (the Netherlands, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Israel, Spain, Germany, Australia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Denmark), two intergovernmental organizations (the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and more than 70 commercial satellite owners, operators, launchers already participating in SSA data-sharing agreements with USSTRATCOM.

“Thailand signing these guidelines with the United States demonstrates their continued leadership within the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] ASEAN organization and firmly establishes the Royal Thai Air Force in the Space Community,” said Correll.

SSA data-sharing agreements enhance multinational space cooperation and streamline the process for USSTRATCOM partners to request specific information gathered by Air Force Space Command’s 18th Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The data is critical for launch support, satellite maneuver planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, electromagnetic interference reporting and investigation, satellite decommissioning activities and on-orbit conjunction assessments.

USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.

For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or USSTRATCOMPA@mail.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil.