Cislunar Monitoring Technology is now a policy of U.S. Government. White House has tasked the Pentagon with expediting the development of Advanced Cislunar Monitoring Technologies. This initiative targets to widen the United States’ capabilities in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and fortify planetary defense.  The directive explains the growing strategic importance of the enormous region between Earth and the Moon, which is known as cislunar space, in ensuring national security and fostering sustainable space exploration.

The effort will involve co-operation with NASA, Private companies, and US allies to develop State-of-the-Art Sensors, tracking systems, and navigation infrastructure. These tools will help monitor satellites, debris, and potential threats within the cislunar region. By enhancing situational awareness in this area, the U.S. seeks to protect critical assets, ensure safe lunar exploration, and prepare for unforeseen threats like asteroid impacts.

Senior leaders of US Space Command and the Space Force have always indicated that, although not an immediate focus, future military operations in cislunar space seem critical & necessary, as commercial prospects for exploiting the Moon and its surroundings become more viable in current age, with advancing technology. In fact, the Space Force has already allocated modest funding for early research into monitoring satellites at the semi-stable Lagrange points between Earth and the Moon.

“The United States is committed to the safe, transparent, and sustainable exploration and use of Cislunar space for peaceful purposes,”

National Science & Technology Council, White House

“Empowered a NASA-led task force to establish time standards at and around celestial bodies other than Earth.”

Office of Science & Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President of United States

Biden administration also issued a policy in this respect in April 2024 that directed NASA to work in support of National Cislunar Monitoring Technology Strategies.

What is Cislunar Monitoring Technology and Its Role in Planetary Defense?

Cislunar Monitoring Technology refers to tools and sensor systems designed to operate in the region of space between Earth’s atmosphere and the Moon’s orbit. This includes advanced satellites, radars, sensors and tracking systems capable of monitoring objects within this massive area. Cislunar space is increasingly important as humanity ventures beyond Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to establish a presence on the Moon and, eventually, Mars.

From a planetary defense perspective, cislunar monitoring technology is vital for detecting and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) such as asteroids that could pose a threat to our planet. Early detection enabled by cislunar monitoring systems provides critical time to implement deflection or mitigation strategies. Additionally, maintaining awareness of activities in this region helps address potential security risks from space debris or hostile entities, safeguarding both civilian and military space assets.

This directive aligns with the U.S. government’s broader National Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy (NSTC 2022 Goals- National Science and Technology Council), aimed at ensuring leadership in space innovation while adhering to international treaties.  The Pentagon’s new role to develop Cislunar Monitoring Technology highlights the intersection of space exploration, national security & defense, and the imperative to protect Earth from all kinds of extraterrestrial threats.