The UAE Space Agency entered into an agreement with the US Strategic Command to share space situational awareness services and information, joining 10 nations and over 50 commercial satellite owner/operator/launchers already participating in SSA data-sharing agreements with the US Strategic Command. These agreements streamline the process for partners to request specific information gathered by the USSTRACOM for launch support, satellite manoeuvre planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, electromagnetic interference report and investigation, satellite decommissioning activities and on-orbit conjunction assessments.

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, technologies, and applications

• Understand national 

policies and identify national policies that utilise SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, technologies, and applications

• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders involved in policy implementation

• Access to SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, data processing and analysis capabilities

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k

• Includes: stakeholder consultations and negotiations, legal drafting and review of agreements, participation in international SSA/STM data-sharing networks, establishment of secure communication channels and protocols, training for regulators and operators, and workshops for implementation

Timeframe:

• Overall: 12–24 mo

• Phase: scoping & partner identification (3–6 mo), negotiation and drafting of agreements (6–9 mo), establishment of data-sharing systems and secure access (3–6 mo), training and operationalisation (3–6 mo)

Pros:

• Enhanced safety of space operations - Access to orbital data from multiple partners improves collision avoidance, launch planning, and satellite manoeuvre coordination.

• Cost efficiency - Sharing data reduces the need to build redundant national systems and lowers overall monitoring costs.

• International trust & credibility - Demonstrates commitment to responsible space behaviour, increasing confidence from partners and investors.

• Support for national operators - Provides domestic satellite operators with better situational awareness for safe operations, decommissioning, and compliance.

• Capacity building - Helps emerging nations gain access to high-quality data and learn from advanced SSA operators.

Considerations:

• Data sensitivity & security - Some SSA data (e.g., military satellites, manoeuvres) may be restricted; partners may share only partial or degraded information.

• Dependence on external providers - Heavy reliance on foreign SSA data could limit national autonomy and strategic independence.

• Compliance burden - Requires staff capacity, IT integration, and resources to handle data security, confidentiality, and interoperability standards.

• Political/geopolitical risks - Access to data may be withdrawn or restricted due to shifting alliances or geopolitical tensions.

• Limited reciprocity - Emerging nations may have little data to contribute, leading to asymmetrical relationships.