Join Us at the 2008 Air Force Research Laboratory
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Workshop.
(This is an invitation-only event.)

Space situational is a growing area of AF importance. It is a key component of the overall situational awareness picture (along with the cyber, air, maritime, and land components). At one time, space was viewed as an open domain analogous to the open ocean with freedom of transit available to any/all. That view changed sharply with the Jan 07 Chinese Anti-Satellite (ASAT) demonstration. Senior leadership now clearly states space is a warfighting domain which this nation must be prepared to dominate and control when necessary. It is a high priority across the board. SSA is AFSPC’s Number 2 priority and 1 of 11 Tier 1, AFRL Strategic Goals.

The first step in that control is SSA. It is very difficult to control what you are not aware of. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss SSA amongst a diverse cross section of AFRL personnel. Some are very familiar with this problem – others know almost nothing at all. BOTH GROUPS should attend this workshop! The workshop intent is to foster new ideas and collaborations within AFRL to address challenging SSA questions. Doing this requires people with knowledge of current activities as well as fresh new ideas.

The workshop is structured to bring all attendees to a common level of understanding. The first morning will consist of background information on SSA basics, an intel brief, user needs, and the recently formed AFRL SSA Enterprise. This will be followed by 5 topic sessions which will cover details on the goals of current AFRL SSA attributes. The workshop will then conclude with parallel working groups brainstorming potential ways forward in each of the attribute areas and out briefing the results to all attendees.

The envisioned end product is an expanded SSA “roadmap” showing prioritized AFRL investment opportunities in the near, mid, and far terms. These opportunities will look to capitalize on the rich diversity of AFRL personnel and involve multiple AFRL Directorates. The organizing team expects existing partnerships will be strengthened and multiple new partnerships will be forged. Register now and become part of this growing AFRL team!