Secretary
U.S.
Department
of
Homeland
Security
Washington, DC 20528
Homeland
|P:
Security
April 14, 2022
Policy Statement 063-01, Revision 01
MEMORANDUM
FOR
COMPONENT
LEADERS
FROM: Alejandro N. Mayork
Secretary
ft#r
SUBJECT:
DHS
Space
Policy
Purpose: This memorandum updates the policy of the Department
of
Homeland Security with
respect to space and our homeland security mission. This DHS Space Policy guides component
efforts internally and across the homeland security enterprise.
Background: Recent space activity, including the historic May 30, 2020 joint mission with the
private sector to launch the first American astronauts on American rockets from American soil
since 2011, represents a technological and cultural shift in American space activity. No longer the
exclusive domain
of
the government, the new American space economy is driving technological
advancement, scientific discovery, and economic opportunity across our homeland. Within the
homeland security enterprise, space-based systems play a critical role in securing the homeland as
DHS components and partners rely heavily on space systems to provide information and
communications necessary for mission success. Innovations driven by the commercial space
sector also offer exciting opportunities for the Department and the homeland.
While America continues to grow its commercial space opportunities, our adversaries will also
seek to disrupt the advantages the space economy will bring. A strong and mutually beneficial
relationship between the Department and commercial space service providers, paired with a robust
and diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce, are keys to continued
mission success. The Department must therefore support America's expanding space ecosystem
by recognizing its importance to the security
of
the homeland and through a DHS Space Policy
that defines
and
updates
DHS's
role in this important domain.
This updated DHS Space Policy will support America's space goals by utilizing the authorities
and capabilities
of
the Department to protect the homeland and our space innovators from
emerging risks. DHS must be increasingly prepared for space-related contingencies across the
homeland security enterprise. Space-based and terrestrial assets that support space capabilities, for
example, contribute to the delivery
of
key National Essential Functions (NEF) and National
Critical Functions (NCF), including infrastructure that spans multiple critical infrastructure
sectors.
www.dhs.gov
DHS Space Policy
Page 2
The commercial space industry increasingly relies on the maritime domain for cost-effective
launch and recovery
of
commercial rockets to support its business model in ways that impact
traditional maritime stakeholders and requires DHS to develop new maritime safety and security
priorities. Space-based assets are used to monitor the effects
of
climate change and to support a
host
of
other border security, intelligence, law enforcement, and emergency management activities
across
DHS
components.
Recognizing the new era
of
American space activities and the critical role space systems play in
the homeland security enterprise, this DHS Space Policy reaffirms the Department's role in
associated interagency efforts. DHS will assume a leading role in three primary areas: promotion
of
cybersecurity
of
space systems, homeland security mission assurance planning and execution,
and contingency planning to respond to and recover from potential impacts to the homeland
resulting from a denied or degraded space environment. In accordance with this policy, DHS will
safeguard the American people, our values, and our homeland in the modern space era.
Policy:
It is the policy
of
the Department to:
A) Supportthe security, integrity, and resilience of government andprivatesectorspace-based
systems and their associated
supply
chains during their design, development, acquisition,
deployment, and operation. Spacesystems enablekey functions suchas global
communications; positioning, navigation, andtiming;scientificobservation; exploration;
climate monitoring; and multiple vital national security applications. Therefore, it is
essential to assess and communicate risks to space systems to enable protection from cyber
or other threats, including manipulationand unauthorizedaccess to prevent disruptionsto
delivery
of
critical services and data. DHS will advocatefor the incorporation
of
cybersecurity principles for all phases of spacesystems design, development, acquisition,
deployment, andoperation
across
the
industry.
DHS
willmaintain closerelationships with
its diverse government and industry partners to
focus
on cybersecurity measures for space
systems
andwill
develop
best
practices,
education
materials,
andstandards consistent with
Space Policy Directive-5 (SPD-5),
Cybersecurity
Principlesfor Space
Systems.
B) Buildresilience into the useof critical
space
assetsto minimize the impactof any natural
or human-made disruptions on the
homeland
and to DHS mission execution. Therefore,
DHSwill prioritizeengagement with
federal
interagency partnersandthe privatesectorto
increaseassurance and fortifythe resilience of space-enabled components
of
NEFs and
NCFs against natural or purposeful interference and harmful manipulation, through
encouraging the fielding, exercising, and
employment
of
secure
and resilient materiel, and
non-materiel, space, and non-space capabilities. In addition, DHS will hold periodic
operationally focused exercises to test the continuity
of
NCFs and Primary Mission
Essential Functions and associated systems in a degraded or denied space environment as a
result
of
natural or human-made disruptions. Components will develop procedures and
continuityplans for the loss of critical spacesystemsand conductinternalexercises
focusing on such an event. Components will develop continuity plans that consider
alternatives to their space-based systems to increase the Department's resilience to the loss
of
space systems.
DHS Space Policy
Page 3
C) Develop contingency plans for a degraded space environment, regardless
of
cause. In
addition to impacts
of
space weather and other natural causes, DHS must prepare for the
potential that heightened tensions or adversarial activities in space may lead to impacts
upon domestic space assets. Accordingly, DHS will develop contingency plans consistent
with its mission to plan for potential impacts to the homeland and manage associated
nationalresponse and recovery effortsconsistentwith DHS authorities. Componentswill
incorporate into contingency plans any potential vulnerabilities, likely targets, and
mitigation measures that may be unique to adversarial military actions in the space
domain. DHS will participate in and otherwisesupport interagencyand international
discussions around norms and responsible state behaviors for space and in response to
activities in space.
This memorandum supersedes the previous DHS Space Policy signed on February 3, 2011.
