The Foreign Service Journal, May 2022

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2022 49 Additionally, there are aspects of humanity’s future in space we have not yet considered nor fully addressed from a legal or policy standpoint that will depend on State’s interdisciplinary expertise. aiding democracy protesters, for instance, to communicate via uncensored commercial satellite communication technology should be just as important to and just as well understood by human rights officers as it is to the interagency colleagues and the private sector firms seeking to protect those satellites from attack or disruption by malign actors. It seems self-evident that the State Department has a role to play in supporting and advancing these objectives. Public affairs officers, too, must be able to tell the story of why outer space is important in what we do, and share that message alongside the other essential communication roles they perform. More broadly, cell phone communication, e-commerce and other aspects of our daily, digital lives rely on space and have interagency interests that intersect with nongovernmental equi- ties as well. Additionally, there are aspects of humanity’s future in space we have not yet considered nor fully addressed from a legal or policy standpoint that will depend on State’s interdisciplinary expertise and perspective to ensure U.S. interests and values are secured. Existing agreements such as the Outer Space Treaty contain significant gaps in coverage and ambiguities in verifi- cation that can lead to misunderstanding and conflict without constant awareness of developments in civil, commercial and military space capabilities. Alternatively, though, filling these gaps and clarifying such ambiguities can serve as a framework for communication and cooperation. Unforeseen circumstances and scenarios, to say nothing of technologies, will require space expertise to craft the next generation of agreements, alliances and partnerships for and in space. Humanity’s future in space, in other words, presents the same challenges and opportunities for conflict or cooperation as in other domains, but the stakes will soon be far greater than ever before. Future cooperation, and potential conflict in space, will not be limited to purely political or scientific realms but cover the full spectrum of human and international interests and disciplines. The United States Department of State and the Foreign Service represent the greatest combination of experience and expertise to help lead American and global efforts for a peaceful and boun- tiful future of extraterrestrial innovation and achievement. LOOKING AHEAD In time, various positions at our missions around the world should expand their portfolios to include space, depending on the contours and needs of the relationship. Environment, science, technology, and health (ESTH) and political-military (PolMil) officers seem a natural fit, but so too are public affairs officers. So many of us work in countries where space is or is becoming a part of the relationship with the United States that the variety of participants in such programs appears limitless. In the future, certain posts may require a dedicated space portfolio officer or even a unit or section within the mission. The Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Professional Development Unit may one day offer programs or other support that leads to an M.A. or LLM in space-based studies for officers demonstrating a dedication to space diplomacy. The State Department is represented on the reestablished National Space Council and has a select number of positions dealing with space at multilateral missions. Foggy Bottom also has positions in the bureaus of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance and Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, among others, focused on space activities. Our Civil Service and Foreign Service colleagues in these positions have already made tremendous contributions to international treaties and agreements. It may be time, however, for more FSOs and members of the Civil Service to be aware of space and pre- pared for space-related policy decision-making. Satellite imag- ery will, for example, aid the work of State Department officials focused on alleviating humanitarian and refugee crises just as much as it serves officers engaged in energy and security issues. Highlighting the importance of outer space in our future diplomacy may require a special envoy or ambassador-at-large or even a functional bureau down the line. For now, however, introducing space to as many members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service as possible would be a tremendous beginning. State will be needed in space. Now is the time to prepare.