1 Space Surveillance Unit's Commercial Data Mission Centre has delivered its first international Joint Commercial Operations-200 (JCO-200) course.
Held in Adelaide in September, JCO-200 is the operational integration and certification course that equips personnel to perform duties in support of the JCO mission.
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 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 first two weeks are theory, with a focus on space warfare, orbital mechanics, space weather, rendezvous proximity operations, predictive surveillance, launches, re-entries and separate/breakup events.
Week three is focused on-the-job training, with three days of conflict scenarios, where teams are put to the test in a high-tempo environment, including with multiple concurrent events.
The final week is evaluation week, where students are tested in a team environment to demonstrate their ability to conduct operations.
Other assessments include a written exam, a research presentation on a chosen satellite, and a one-on-one test review with an evaluator.
'This helps to protect and defend critical on-orbit capabilities from co-orbital and terrestrial threats.'
Instructor Flight Lieutenant Jarod Beck said the JCO-200 course allowed graduates to take part in a US Space Command-led multi-national effort.
"This helps to protect and defend critical on-orbit capabilities from co-orbital and terrestrial threats using commercial SDA [space domain awareness]," Flight Lieutenant 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."
JCO uses commercial non-classified data for space domain awareness and alerting services. As this information is not classified, it can be distributed quickly to global stakeholders that require information to make informed and fast decisions that could have a significant impact on space assets.
The JCO operates 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 contributes 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.
Executive Officer 1 Space Surveillance Unit and JCO Australian National Site Lead, Squadron Leader Joelene Martin, welcomed the opportunity to provide training of space event analysts to further bolster the Pacific Cell.
"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," Squadron Leader Martin said.
