Belgium will partner with 15 NATO allies in a new initiative which aims to transform the way the alliance collects and uses space data, Belga News Agency reports.
The scheme, entitled "Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space" (APSS), plans to improve NATO's intelligence and surveillance capabilities and to provide essential support to the organisation's military missions.
"This project is a great example of civil-military cooperation, providing a powerful asset to our intelligence toolbox," said NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană.
"APSS will help facilitate better navigation, communications, and detection of missile launches," a NATO press release noted. "By leveraging the latest technologies from industry, APSS will help advance NATO's innovation agenda and offer a new platform to engage with the growing space industry."
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In addition to the 16 NATO Member States, the participating countries include Finland and Sweden: two NATO candidates which are expected to join the alliance in the near future.
Luxembourg has already provided €16.5 million in seed funding for the initiative.
