Opening Keynote -- STRATCOM and the Global AOR

Vice Adm. Carl Mauney gave the opening keynote address of the conference, setting the stage for the rest of the sessions by describing the global responsibilities of the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The admiral described space as a global commons that reaches across geopolitical boundaries and affects every aspect of our lives. It facilitates improvements in military operations, and Mauney cited as an example the fact that, as a submariner, he often used to spend half an hour at periscope depth copying down navigational information. Thanks to advances in space systems, the same information can be conveyed in a matter of seconds, thereby reducing the risk to the crew by decreasing the amount of time spent near the surface.

The admiral emphasized the importance of dialogue on matters of space security between the United States and other spacefaring nations to reduce uncertainty about the intentions behind certain actions. The purpose would be to decrease the risks inherent in misunderstandings. He also encouraged dialogue between industry and government to improve the acquisition process. Complex space systems are difficult to build and it is vital to do a better job calculating and communicating the risks involved before engaging in a major undertaking.