A study on the commercialization of space-based remote sensing in the twenty-first century and its implications to United States National Security

Abstract

Remote sensing from space provides critical data for many commercial space applications. Due to global market demand, it has undergone tremendous growth since the early 1990s. The purpose of this thesis is to assess how the commercialization of space imagery, since the end of the Cold War, has led to increased intelligence gathering by adversaries, and created a new series of threats against United States overseas and domestic targets. The research performed involves an analysis of the proliferation history of space imaging for growing civilian use, and the threats created by its widely available dissemination and accessibility. The analysis results, together with the findings from a review of commercial programs, initiatives, and remote sensing policy, will be used to develop trends that formulate recommendations in this thesis. Specifically, in order to further develop and protect commercial space imaging capability in the future, remote sensing policy makers, systems engineers, and industry analysts must be aware of the implications to United States National Security.