As the Indo-Pacific experiences a surge in space activity, governments and institutions are accelerating efforts to enhance space situational awareness (SSA) to mitigate orbital congestion, manage debris and protect vital satellite infrastructure. Regional cooperation — driven by strategic imperatives and practical necessities — is emerging as a critical element of space traffic management, even in the absence of formal treaties.
Regional and allied nations have been laying the groundwork for collective SSA initiatives in cooperation with such platforms as the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum. These efforts aim to improve data sharing and regional awareness of space operations. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) underscores existing cooperation gaps and highlights the importance of building regional capacity to address them.
A key area of cooperation involves the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), an initiative of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The first site under construction in Western Australia marks a significant milestone. Once operational, DARC will provide constant all-weather capabilities to detect, track and characterize small objects in geosynchronous orbit, bolstering SSA for allied nations.
India, a rising space power, is similarly enhancing its SSA posture. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has established a Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management (DSSAM) and is developing a dedicated SSA radar in Uttarakhand state, according to retired Indian Army Col. Ashwani Sharma, editor of South Asia Defence & Strategic Review. India also operates a network of ground stations and optical telescopes under the Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis.
Sharma emphasized the value of collaborative SSA efforts. “It makes both strategic and practical sense for India and Japan to align their efforts in space situational awareness,” he told FORUM, noting that India’s cost-effective satellite capabilities and Japan’s precision technologies offer synergies.
Japan’s contributions include radar and optical tracking systems developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the operationalization of the Space Operations Squadron under the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Private partnerships are also playing a role, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s collaboration with Astroscale to develop debris removal technologies, which also involves engineering firm MEMCO India.
“With the Indo-Pacific facing rising geopolitical and security challenges, both [India and Japan] have a shared interest in monitoring and protecting their space assets,” Sharma said.
Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Vietnam currently rely on partnerships, particularly with the U.S., for SSA. These include bilateral agreements and participation in multilateral forums, such as the Combined Space Operations Initiative and the Artemis Accords.
The Secure World Foundation argues that these kinds of partnerships are essential to establishing the foundations of a global space traffic management system.
In Indonesia, a new telescope at the Timau observatory is expected to become operational this year and will enhance SSA capabilities in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the Quad partnership — among Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. — has reaffirmed a commitment to SSA cooperation as part of its broader agenda to ensure the peaceful and sustainable use of space.
The growing importance of SSA has also prompted increased private sector engagement. LeoLabs, a U.S.-based commercial provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore’s ST Engineering Geo-Insights to develop regional space traffic management solutions.
