The Space Security programme at the Centre for Defence and International Security Studies is unique, being the only programme of its kind in the U.K. Satellites play an increasingly ubiquitous role in all forms of military operations, and in all facets of modern security. Despite the growing role of satellites, there has been little strategic analysis from aUK and European perspective. The aim of the Space Security programme is to address this deficit by providing a comprehensive information resource on all space security and military space issues, and to act as a catalyst for informed debate on the subject.

In achieving these aims the Space Security programme will raise awareness among the defence community and the wider public of the role of space in military operations and security, as well as provide timely and accurate information, sound analysis and incisive research on all military space and space security issues for government, industry and academia. The Space Security programme organizes various events where leading figures from government, industry and academia are able to meet and exchange ideas.

The CDISS Space Security programme focuses on the following topics:

• Seeking realistic space security goals through common law approaches
• Addressing security concerns and threats of commercial space providers and users
• Analysing emerging space powers and their wider strategic and security implications
• Achieving greater mutual understanding and cooperation on Transatlantic space security issues
• UK and European military space issues
• Space strategic theory

The CDISS Space Security programme is headed by Dr. John B. Sheldon, a leading expert in the field. A former diplomat, Dr. Sheldon is the founding co-editor of the journal Astropolitics, published by Routledge, and has lectured and taught military space issues at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies, London, the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, and the School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, where he was a visiting professor. Dr. Sheldon has published in the RUSI Journal, Airpower Journal, and Space News, among others, and has been featured in The New York Times and the BBC World Services World Update.

John Sheldon is founding co-editor of the journal Astropolitics: The International Journal of Space Power and Policy. He has lectured on military space at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham and is a visiting professor at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies USAF Air University, Maxwell.