Building on the momentum of recent collaborative efforts, US Space Command (SPACECOM) is planning a second space domain awareness mission with France, following a successful joint operation with the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to enhance collective monitoring of the space environment and strengthen partnerships with key allies.
Expanding Collaborative Space Operations
Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, head of Space Forces-Space command and SPACECOM’s Combined Joint Forces Space Component Command, revealed that early discussions are underway for similar missions with other allied partners within the Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender.
„We’re not in the planning phase for [any new missions beyond that with France], but I can see that there will be others,” he stated at the annual Air and Space Forces Association conference.
Operation Olympic Defender: From Planning to Action
Operation Olympic Defender, which includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, primarily functions as a combined space operations planning cell. Its goals are to optimize space operations, enhance mission assurance, improve the resilience of space-based systems, synchronize efforts to deter hostile actors, and reduce space debris.
According to Lt. Gen. Schiess, SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting is keen on transitioning „beyond just planning and working together” to actual „operations,” starting with collaborative space surveillance.
Successful First Missions
The inaugural bilateral mission with France involved a rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO) in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). A Space Force spokesperson confirmed that this joint operation took place in the last quarter of 2024.
SPACECOM announced on September 18, 2025, the successful completion of a similar RPO mission with UK Space Command, during which a U.S. satellite was repositioned to examine a U.K. satellite and ensure its proper operation in orbit.
Lt. Gen. Schiess did not disclose the specific U.S. satellites used in either operation.
US Assets for Space Surveillance
The Space Force operates the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) constellation for monitoring adversary satellites in GEO. Additionally, experimental RPO satellites have been deployed in low Earth orbit under the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, including the Victus series of satellites.
Future Collaboration with France
The exact nature and timing of the follow-up mission with France are still being determined, with ongoing planning discussions between the two nations.
France has been developing small satellites for GEO surveillance through the experimental Yoda program. In August, France’s Space Command signed a 50 million Euro (about $58 million) agreement with Infinite Orbits for a micro-satellite mission in GEO, named Paladin, slated for launch in 2027.
