In information operations, what is the stance toward space capabilities?

• A. Space capabilities should be degraded.
• B. Space capabilities are irrelevant.
• C. IO must protect and exploit space capabilities.
• D. Space capabilities should be used only for navigation.

Answer: (C)

Space capabilities underpin information operations by enabling reliable communications, precise timing, and broad situational awareness across the battlespace. The stance is to protect and exploit these assets to maintain information advantage and resilience. Protecting space capabilities means defending them from interference or attack, ensuring redundancy and survivability, and maintaining secure, uninterrupted access for IO tasks. Exploiting space capabilities means actively using space-derived data and services—such as satellite communications, navigation, and space-based ISR—to inform decisions, synchronize actions, and extend reach, while also denying the adversary the same advantages.

Degrading space would hinder information operations and is not the intended posture. Space capabilities are not irrelevant; they provide critical support beyond just navigation, including communications, timing, and intelligence. Limiting space use to navigation ignores the full range of IO applications that rely on space assets.