The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)’s annual conference, GEOINT kicked off in Kissimmee, FL on Monday, bringing together government and industry partners for USGIF’s 20th anniversary. The year’s theme, “Essential in All Dimensions and Domains” highlights the diversity of geospatial intelligence and its indispensable role in today’s rapidly evolving technological and geopolitical landscape.
Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Stacey Dixon gave the opening keynote, touching on how far the industry has come since its inception 20 years ago. She shared a visual representation of satellites orbiting earth in 2004, compared to the bustling space activity of today, showcasing the expansion over the past two decades. “Space was an environment dominated by just a few governments,” Dixon explained. “Difficult and expensive to get to.”
With fewer players in space, regulations and standards were followed and mutually reinforced. But 20 years later, access to space has opened, the cost to get there has been cut, and the number of governments and companies operating in space has expanded. “At the same time, some capabilities have emerged with few rules to regulate them,” Dixon noted.
A significant portion of those listening to her remarks are part of the teams responsible for many of the 10,000+ operating and decommissioned satellites orbiting earth. Speaking directly to them, Dixon emphasized the urgent need for responsible space stewardship to prevent potential disasters from collisions. “We have an obligation to keep space safe,” she asserted, urging industry leaders to mitigate the risks of escalation and maintain the integrity of the space environment.
Dixon also explored four essential pillars shaping the future of GEOINT: innovation, trust, partnerships, and integration. She celebrated the community’s innovative spirit, pointing out advancements once deemed sci-fi are now reality, greatly enhancing our capability to monitor planetary changes and protect national security.
Noting the growing challenges in distinguishing real from fake in the wake of new technologies, Dixon urged the intelligence community to strive to be as transparent as possible to build trust. She stressed the importance of partnerships, specifically for effective cybersecurity and supply chain management. Dr. Dixon concluded with a call for peaceful use of Earth’s orbit, stating, “We have enough conflict. We should seek to use the earth’s orbit for the development of humankind.”
