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U.S. and U.K. Launch Civilian Exchange Program for Space Collaboration

The agreement is an effort to integrate U.S. and U.K. space enterprise architecture.

A U.S. Space Systems Command Guardian traveled to the United Kingdom as part of the civilian exchange program to support space collaboration. Credit: sctung - stock.adobe.com generated with AI

To establish closer integration and collaboration, the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF’s) Space Systems Command and the U.K. Space Command announced April 15 they have formalized a civilian exchange program agreement through the Administrative and Professional Exchange Program (APEP).

APEP is a part of the U.S. Defense Personnel Exchange Program, which allows administrative or management professionals to switch roles with their counterparts in a different organization. The exchange often happens between different countries, giving professionals the opportunity to learn new skills and develop a cross-cultural understanding via hands-on experiences.

“I know firsthand the value of our exchange programs,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman, commander of U.K. Space Command. “They allow us to build trust, learn from each other and enhance cooperation. Our people, on both sides of the Atlantic, remain our greatest asset, and this new civilian exchange program will ensure alignment of U.S. and U.K. space architectural design.”

According to a joint press release from Space Systems Command and U.K. Space Command, the U.S. deputy undersecretary of the Air Force signed the agreement November 18, 2024, to formalize the exchange position. As the U.S. civilian participating in the exchange, Tara Browne, deputy division chief for strategy and plans at Space Systems Command, traveled to the United Kingdom in early April.

“This exchange assignment represents a significant milestone in U.S.-U.K. space collaboration and exemplifies the [chief of space operations]’s ‘partner to win’ priority in action,” Browne said in the release. “I'm looking forward to providing hands-on, tactical-level support to the United Kingdom in developing and integrating their space enterprise architecture with U.S. and allied space architectures. These ground-level efforts will strengthen our ability to collaborate and proliferate our architecture with one of our closest allies in space. As someone who strongly believes in the power of international partnerships, I’m excited to be the first USSF civilian selected for this unique role.”

The last space partnership civilian exchange between the United States and United Kingdom was the 3-Star Military Personnel Exchange Program, through which the Royal Air Force Air Marshal Paul Godfrey became the USSF’s assistant chief of space operations for future concepts and partnerships at the Pentagon, the release stated.