Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  Third NATO-Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space steering group concludes in The Hague

Nov 24 2023

Third NATO-Alliance Persistent Surveillance from space steering group concludes in The Hague


On 22 November 2023, members of NATO's Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) Programme Steering Group came together to continue to define the direction of the programme in The Hague, Netherlands.


Representatives from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe (SHAPE), the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence, NATO HQ, and other NATO bodies, convened at the NCI Agency's facilities in The Hague, to discuss APSS delivery elements and ensure the overall alignment of the programme's strategic direction.

The APSS programme, NATO's first global Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) space initiative, will streamline space data collection, sharing and analysis, improving NATO's intelligence and surveillance, and providing essential support to NATO military missions and operations.

Launched in February 2023, with the pioneering vision and funding support of Luxembourg and the joining intent of 18 other NATO and Partner Nations, the APSS aims to enhance NATO's situational awareness and decision-making, through the establishment of a virtual constellation called 'Aquila'.

Third NATO-space steering group convenes in The Hague

Aquila will comprise of both national and commercial space assets, such as satellites, leveraging the latest advances in commercial space technology. The integration of timely, persistent and relevant data and services from space will better allow NATO to ensure the collective defence of the Alliance.

The APSS programme is jointly led by the NCI Agency, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and NATO Headquarters, under the programme management of the NCI Agency.

Decisions agreed to during this Steering Group will shape NATO's activities and posture in the domain of Space and influence the projects undertaken by the APSS programme team going forward.