The image resolution of commercial satellites has dramatically improved over the years, making commercial remote sensing capability a more important component of Defense Department and intelligence community needs.
- Todd Harrison, director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the U.S. government should buy as a service when it comes to commercial remote sensing capabilities, which will require a “paradigm shift.”
- The main benefit of commercial space sensing systems for national security is that they can complement government systems, said Harrison.
- He said the regulatory environment puts the U.S. at a disadvantage because it limits companies to quality standards of foreign countries.
