In a interesting and timely episode of the In-Orbit Podcast, hosted from the Satellite Applications Catapult, the conversation explores how advancements in space infrastructure are shaping autonomous systems — and redefining the landscape of modern conflict and security. Titled “The Role of Space in Autonomy” ; How Space Infrastructure Powers Autonomy, the episode brings together Chris Brook, Mission Manager at Satellite Applications Catapult, and Jim Campbell, Managing Director of Sutherland Campbell International. Together, they unpack how space-based technologies and orbital autonomy not only enhance civilian life but intersect deeply with national defence, modern warfare, and geopolitical tension.

Who They Are

Chris Brook operates from the heart of the UK’s space innovation ecosystem. As Mission Manager at Satellite Applications Catapult, he is deeply involved in developing and deploying technologies that use space assets to solve Earth-based problems. 

Jim Campbell, meanwhile, brings strategic insight from the automotive and emerging technologies sector, advising companies across Europe on integrating advanced autonomous systems. Their combined expertise spans civilian transportation, national security, and the growing crossover between orbital and terrestrial technologies.

Defining Autonomy and Why Space Matters

At its core, autonomy refers to machines that can operate independently, adjusting to real-time data and environments without direct human control. In contrast to automation — which relies on repetitive, programmed actions — autonomy enables decision-making in dynamic settings. Space, as they emphasise, is the ultimate autonomous environment: spacecraft must navigate extreme conditions with minimal guidance from Earth.

This makes the space sector a proving ground for technologies later adopted on Earth. For example, satellite systems are now critical for enabling autonomous vehicles, supporting everything from precision GPS to real-time communications and remote sensing.

The Role of Space Infrastructure

The podcast explores how orbital infrastructure is rapidly evolving. Emerging capabilities include:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations for faster, more resilient communications
• Robotic arms and service drones for satellite maintenance and surveillance
• Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems offering sub-meter accuracy
• Real-time Earth observation and imaging These systems, initially designed to support efficiency and logistics on Earth, are now being reimagined as strategic tools in global defence networks.

Implications for Modern Warfare

A striking insight from the conversation is how recent conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, have accelerated the development and deployment of autonomous systems. Autonomous drones have proven invaluable for surveillance, targeting, and logistics. The war has become a testbed for these technologies, reinforcing the long-observed pattern that wartime innovation often trickles down into civilian application.

Space plays a pivotal role in this transformation. The ability to deploy drones with satellite-based navigation, real-time communication, and remote sensing capabilities means nations can now operate with greater precision, and fewer personnel, over vast and hostile terrain. The UK and other Western nations are actively exploring how space autonomy could support both defensive operations and humanitarian interventions in contested environments.

Security Concerns: Fragility in Orbit

Despite the promise, there are profound vulnerabilities. Brook and Campbell raise critical concerns about the fragility and security of space-based systems:

• Satellite Hijacking: Many satellite systems rely on signals that, while encrypted today, were originally designed with little defence against spoofing or signal disruption. Hostile actors could potentially hijack satellite assets or disrupt navigation signals used by military and civilian autonomous systems alike.
• Cybersecurity: Spacecraft and satellite systems are increasingly targets for cyber warfare. Quantum encryption may offer future solutions, but current systems remain exposed.
• Proliferation and Congestion: The rise of mega-constellations, such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, means thousands of satellites now orbit Earth. While this redundancy offers resilience, it also increases the surface area for attack, and complicates attribution when things go wrong.

Regulatory Gaps and the Global Response

Both guests argue for a more proactive approach to international regulation. While the UK is strong in standards and legislation — as seen with the 2024 Autonomous Vehicle Act — space remains a partially unregulated frontier. The Outer Space Treaty of the 1960s is outdated in a world where private companies and nation-states are launching thousands of autonomous platforms with dual-use potential.

As Jim Campbell notes, “We can’t regulate in isolation.” Effective governance will require international collaboration, data sharing, and a global commitment to interoperability and ethics. Without this, there is a risk that the space sector evolves into a Wild West of satellite warfare and techno-nationalism.

Civilian Applications and the Blurred Lines

The podcast also highlights the dual-use nature of space tech. The same satellites that provide Earth observation for climate change can also track naval vessels operating under false flags. Autonomous systems designed for infrastructure inspection (like wind turbines or pipelines) can easily be adapted for military surveillance.

The maritime example is telling: using satellite imagery to detect vessels not responding to AIS (Automatic Identification System), then deploying autonomous drones to verify their identity in real time, showcases how space autonomy already supports security enforcement without risking human lives.

The Future: Integration and Seamless Interoperability

Looking ahead, a potential vision is seamless integration between terrestrial and orbital systems. The rise of software-defined networking, where a user doesn’t care whether their data is transmitted via 5G, Wi-Fi, or satellite, points to a future where space infrastructure is not supplemental, but foundational to every form of autonomous mobility.

Autonomy won’t be a novelty — it will be a default mode of operation. But with that comes a responsibility: to regulate, secure, and ensure that autonomy serves human needs rather than circumvents them.

Final Thoughts

How Space Infrastructure Powers Autonomy is a very interesting topic. The technologies discussed aren’t speculative. They are here, expanding, and increasingly entangled with global security, economics, and societal well-being.

As we witness the merging of space and Earth technologies, we must grapple with the consequences. Space is no longer the final frontier — it is the strategic high ground. Whether that vantage point enables peace or conflict will depend on the choices we make today.

And so, the question remains: In a world of satellites and AI-driven drones, who holds the joystick — and who sets the rules of the game?

View the full podcast here via youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2NZKiCx5ro

Written by S-11

www.spaceautonomy.ai