text: Chapter 6
  Space Products
  The three separate products a space operations officer prepares are the space-unique inputs
  to the IPB, the space running estimate, and Appendix 18–Space Operations to Annex C of
  the base order. The space running estimate is prepared as a tab to the Appendix 18 to the
  OPLAN, while the SSE provides space input to the intelligence cell’s IPB activity. Both
  the space running estimate and space input to IPB process are systematic, continuous
  methods of analyzing and documenting factors affecting space capabilities that affect the
  OE. These space products present the supported commander and staff with information
  about the space situation that pertains to accomplishing the unit mission. These products
  are designed to support other estimates and the MDMP. The purpose of the space running
  estimate is to systematically consider the space dimension of the area of operation. This
  chapter outlines the necessary content of space analysis as a tool to identify how space
  capabilities influence the operations.
  PURPOSE OF THE SPACE INPUT
  6-1. The purpose of space input to the IPB process is to provide the intelligence cell and other staff
  elements, with a highly detailed analysis of the space domain and its capabilities and effects within the OE.
  IPB is an analytical methodology to reduce uncertainties about the enemy and the OE, and fuses the air and
  space domain, terrain, and weather into a consolidated, coordinated assessment. IPB is the key to preparing
  for the next engagement and, during peacetime, builds the foundational data that will be updated and
  enhanced continuously and simultaneously during operations.
  6-2. An enemy’s access to space domain or space control capabilities can generate effects with impact
  across all levels of war. Space-related inputs to the IPB are conducted at the tactical level to support combat
  operations. It needs to be a focused effort directly impacting the mission or operations that leverage the results
  of the USSPACECOM space IPB program. This multi-agency intelligence production effort is designed to
  augment a combatant command’s joint IPB tailored to assessing enemy usage of the space domain with
  predictive courses of action. The USSPACECOM IPB process is a continuous all-source intelligence
  production effort tailored to support combatant commander contingency plans and OPLAN in existence.
  6-3. The SSE should coordinate through the intelligence cell for access to existing USSPACECOM IPB
  products during mission analysis. If the SSE’s area of responsibility doesn’t have an available space input to
  the IPB product, or if further tailoring is necessary, the SSE should submit an intelligence requirement
  through the collections manager to USSPACECOM. The SSE and intelligence cell should review the joint
  space IPB to understand the enemy’s use of the space domain, space order of battle, and space control courses
  of action to integrate into the unit IPB process. Based on the intelligence cell’s limited capacity to focus on
  the space domain, the SSE should lead the space threat analysis effort, which will eventually be incorporated
  into the overall intelligence estimate.
  6-4. Based on mission variables, staffs down to brigade level need to determine how best to integrate space
  capabilities and vulnerabilities into their mission analysis process. This effort supports all facets of MDMP
  and is the key space situation analysis tool used during the operation. The use of space systems may
  significantly affect operations involving communications, navigation, threat warning, weather monitoring,
  reconnaissance, and surveillance. Throughout all phases of an operation (from pre-deployment to mission
  completion), the space domain impact on military operations is a key factor for which the commander must
  plan. The SSE, in coordination with the rest of the staff, conducts the space running estimate process and
  space input to IPB, and makes the products available to the staff and the commander.