1 Space Surveillance Unit’s Commercial Data Mission Centre has delivered its first international Joint Commercial Operations-200 (JCO-200) course.
“This helps to protect and defend critical on-orbit capabilities from co-orbital and terrestrial threats using commercial SDA [space domain awareness],” Instructor Flight Lieutenant Jarod Beck said.
“I have the privilege of instructing this course for the third time to a mix of Australian Defence Force, Australian Space Agency and JASDF staff.”
Held in Adelaide in September, JCO-200 is the operational integration and certification course that has equipped personnel to perform duties in support of the JCO mission.
“By opening the doors for other countries within the Pacific region to participate in Australian-run courses, we will build and enhance relationships with partner nations as we move forward with space operations,” Executive Officer 1 Space Surveillance Unit and JCO Australian National Site Lead, Squadron Leader Joelene Martin, said.
JCO is a global construct, developed by the US to augment the National Space Defense Centre’s mission to ‘protect and defend’ high-value assets in space.
It conducts first-level analysis of orbital events to pass to decision makers, enabling deeper-level analysis for actionable events.
JCO-200 has incorporated eight personnel, including two Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) members, on the four-week course. The training qualifies participants as space event analysts.
The JCO has operated on a ‘follow-the-sun’ model, staffed by three different cells: Americas, Pacific and Meridian. Currently, 20 countries contribute to the mission, providing support across the cells 24 hours a day.
Australia has contributed to the JCO mission through the Commercial Data Mission Centre in Adelaide, and participates in the Pacific Cell, headed by New Zealand and supported by Japan and South Korea.
Once the Pacific Cell has conducted its eight-hour allotted shift, responsibility is handed over to the Meridian Cell, which is headed by the UK and supported by other European countries and members from NATO Space Command.
The Meridian Cell hands over to the Americas Cell, which is supported by Canada and Brazil.