The Commercialisation of Space as an Information Source: An Enquiry into Potential Implications for Geospatial Intelligence

Abstract

This dissertation is looking into the question of how the entrance of the private sector has affected the security network in space. To do so, this thesis provides a temporary reality of today's space ecosystem in accordance with its congested and contested characteristic factor developed by the introduction of the private sector in space. This is to be done through the analysis of one of the major space actors, the United States and its impact on space activities and transformation on their own space capabilities towards a private monopoly of the resources of the domain. Providing therefore, the changing factor that characterises states as their own propellant of security and their own insecurity in the domain. For that matter, this dissertation operates with numerical data provided by organisational, non-organisational and different studies providing the picture of the reality of space and its short-term future predictions. Therefore, lastly, providing a possible impact on the private monopolisation of space activities, ecosystem and technologies into the security network and its use for intelligence purposes. Key words: Space Security Network, Mega-Constellation, Miniaturisation, Big-Data, GEOINT