PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Space Command enhanced a previous Space Situational Awareness data sharing agreement by signing an amendment enabling the sharing of classified SSA information with the Italian Ministry of Defence (Ministero della Difensa) on July 15. Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) Brig. Gen. Luca Capasso, chief of the Space General Office, Italian Defence General Staff, counter-signed the MOU in Italy and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Michael Bernacchi, director of #USSPACECOM's Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, signed at Peterson Air Force Base.
“USSPACECOM builds and maintains key relationships with international partners to ensure that we are sharing a vision for the future safety, security and sustainability of space,” Bernacchi said.
The new arrangement builds upon the established sharing agreement with Italy, signed in October 2013. It permits an advanced exchange of SSA data, which is essential for spaceflight safety and may include classified information when appropriate.
“With this new arrangement, Italian MoD Space Operations Command will enforce its current command and control capability in space," Capasso said. "Effective SSA is key to protect our space assets. By leveraging international cooperation, we can multiply the effectiveness of our respective capabilities and provide enhanced defence and deterrence."